Orion Abort Test Booster
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The Orion Abort Test Booster (ATB) is a small solid rocket launcher which will be developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation under contract by U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Development and Test Wing (SDTW).[1]
Its goal will be to demonstrate and qualify the Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) that will allow the astronaut crew to safely escape in the event of an emergency during launch pad operations and through the ascent of the Orion vehicle.
The three planned flight tests are scheduled from 2009 to 2011 at White Sands Missile Range;[2][3] with a fourth and final flight test performed using Ares I-Y.
The ATB can be considered as the successor to Little Joe II.
[edit] Scheduled missions
| Launch Date | Mission | Test or Launch Site | Objectives |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 15, 2009[4] | ATK’s facility in Elkton, Md | Preliminary motor test (PA-1) | |
| Early 2010 | AA-1 | White Sands LC-32[5] | |
| NET February 2012 | AA-2 | White Sands | |
| NET August 2012 | AA-3 | White Sands |
NET: No Earlier Than
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ Orbital.com: Orbital To Provide Abort Test Booster For NASA Testing
- ^ NASA: Constellation Project Mission, Research, and Testing Sites
- ^ NASA Photos: Orion boilerplate at White Sands - see photos page 21-23
- ^ Interspace News: Orion Launch Abort System Attitude Control Motor Test-fired, Dec. 17, 2009
- ^ NASA: NASA Awards Orion Launch Abort Test Facilities Contract
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