Nuked On Sunday, SpaceX will test out the emergency escape system on its new passenger spacecraft. Spacex will probably destroy a Falcon 9 rocket in the process.
This weekend’s test, known as an in-flight abort test, is all about the agency’s new crew Dragon capsule. Spacex plans to mimic a failed rocket launch and show that its crew dragon can survive and protect its precious inhabitants inside.
Eight SuperDraco engines are embedded in the hull of the crew Dragon. superdracos can propel the spacecraft up and away from the rocket. A recovery boat would then rescue the crew inside.
Spacex has tested out this escape system before, but only when the crew dragon was on the ground. This weekend, SpaceX will launch one of its used Falcon 9 rockets – which has been to space and back three times before – with a crew dragon on top. When the rocket and capsule are feeling the most stress during flight, the superdracos will fire and the rocket’s main engines will cut off.
Spacex expects to lose its Falcon 9 rocket during this test. The rocket will be fully fueled, which means some of that propellant might light up.
Spacex will have two smart Dummies inside the crew dragon to gather data on how the maneuver would affect future crew members. Both the dummies and vehicle will be recovered by boat after the test.
Spacex’s Falcon 9 is scheduled to take off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral Florida on Sunday, during a six-hour launch window between 8AM and 2pm et. Spacex was originally supposed to launch on Saturday but had to stand down due to bad weather at both locations.
The crew dragon that will be used for that test is slated to arrive in Florida by the end of this month. Spacex and NASA will need to review all the data and do additional paperwork, and SpaceX still has to do more tests of its parachutes.
