SpaceX executed its in-flight abort test today, with the Crew Dragon spacecraft launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from KSC’s Launch Pad 39-A at 10:30 a.m EST. The abort was triggered about 84 seconds after launch and Crew Dragon descended to a parachute-assisted splashdown about 9 minutes after liftoff some 32 kilometers off the coast. SpaceX Crew Dragon launch escape demonstration is part of the agency’s Commercial Crew Program, which is working with U.S. companies to launch American astronauts on American rockets and spacecraft from American soil.
The SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft splashed down offshore in the Atlantic Ocean at 10:39 a.m. EST. Teams of personnel from SpaceX and the U.S. Air Force 45th Operations Groups Detachment-3 out of Patrick Air Force Base recovered the spacecraft for return to SpaceX facilities in Florida, and a dedicated team will begin the recovery effort of the Falcon 9, which broke apart as planned.
VIDEO
YouTube: SpaceX Crew Dragon In-Flight Abort Test
Download: SpaceX In-Flight Abort Test Live Launch Coverage
Full coverage was as follows.
Friday, Jan. 17
- 1 p.m. – Pre-test briefing at Kennedy, with the following representatives:
- Kathy Lueders, manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program
- Benji Reed, director, Crew Mission Management, SpaceX
- Mike McAleenan, launch weather officer, 45th Weather Squadron
Sunday, Jan. 19
- 10:10 a.m. – NASA TV test coverage begins for the 8 a.m. liftoff
- NET 11:30 – Post-test news conference at Kennedy, with the following representatives:
- Jim Bridenstine, NASA Administrator
- Elon Musk, chief engineering, SpaceX
- Kathy Lueders, manager, NASA Commercial Crew Program
- Victor Glover, astronaut, NASA Commercial Crew Program
- Mike Hopkins, astronaut, NASA Commercial Crew Program
News Releases
NASA to Provide Coverage of SpaceX Crew Dragon Launch Escape Test
NASA, SpaceX Complete Final Major Flight Test of Crew Spacecraft