SPACE TRAVEL
Pad Abort-1 Set For May 6 Launch

PA-1 is the first fully integrated flight test of the launch abort system being developed for the Orion crew exploration vehicle. The test is part of an ongoing mission to develop safer vehicles for human spaceflight applications.
by Staff Writers
 Washington DC (SPX) May 06, 2010
 The Pad Abort 1 team has completed the checkout of the range systems and everything is locked down and ready for launch. The next milestone is removing the thermal cover from the launch abort vehicle which is scheduled for 2 a.m. EDT. Call to stations is at 6 a.m. NASA TV coverage begins at 8:30 a.m.

With hundreds of tests and verifications officially complete, members of the Flight Test Readiness Review board unanimously agreed that Pad Abort 1 (PA-1) is ready for launch May 6 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M.

Often in a readiness review prior to any launch, there are open items that need to be closed before a mission gets the "go-ahead." If there is an issue with hardware or software, the launch date could be delayed until it is fixed.

However, on April 22, the PA-1 team concluded that all flight and support hardware and software are flight ready, launch facilities and range assets are in place and that the flight test team is prepared to execute PA-1 efficiently, effectively, and safely.

PA-1 is the first fully integrated flight test of the launch abort system being developed for the Orion crew exploration vehicle. The test is part of an ongoing mission to develop safer vehicles for human spaceflight applications.

The only question mark for the launch is the weather with the major constraint being wind. The flight test team will monitor the weather closely on test day, leading up to the targeted 9 a.m. EDT launch.



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