When NASA astronauts begin their voyage to the Moon on the Orion spacecraft during Artemis missions, they’ll be protected by a launch abort system (LAS), which is designed to carry crew to safety in the event of an emergency during launch or ascent atop the agency’s Space Launch System rocket. This week, NASA successfully tested the attitude control motor (ACM), which is built by Northrop Grumman and provides steering for Orion’s LAS during an abort, at the company’s facility in Elkton, Maryland. Read more for a video and additional information.
This 30-second hot fire was the third and final test to qualify the motor for human missions, starting with Artemis II. During this test, eight high pressure valves directed more than 7,000 pounds of thrust generated by the solid rocket motor in multiple directions while firing at freezing conditions, thus providing enough force to orient Orion as well as its crew for a secure landing.
- Bring to life the rocket launch that took humans to the moon with the meter-high (approximately 1: 110 scale) model rocket of the NASA Apollo Saturn V
- The Saturn V rocket kit includes 3 removable rocket stages (first, s-ii second, and s-ivb third) below the launch escape system, command and service...
- After building the Saturn V rocket, you can display the spacecraft horizontally with 3 stands; The Lunar Lander docks with the command and service...
The launch abort system consists of three solid rocket motors: the abort motor pulls the crew module away from the launch vehicle; the ACM steers and orients the capsule; then the jettison motor ignites to separate the LAS from Orion prior to parachute deployment and to ensure a safe crew landing.
