The final full-scale ground test of the abort motor for NASA’s Orion spacecraft Launch Abort System (LAS) was conducted at Northrop Grumman’s Promontory, Utah, test facility. The 17 ft tall abort motor is one of three comprising the LAS that sits atop the Orion spacecraft aboard NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and is designed to increase astronaut safety on the pad and through initial ascent.

The abort motor pulls the crew module away from the rocket as the attitude control motor steers and orients the capsule. The third component -- the jettison motor -- ignites to separate the LAS from Orion for parachute deployment and a safe crew landing.

The abort motor for NASA’s Orion spacecraft LAS completes its final qualification test. Source: Northrop GrummanThe abort motor for NASA’s Orion spacecraft LAS completes its final qualification test. Source: Northrop Grumman

The four exhaust nozzles pointing skyward produced nearly 400,000 lb of thrust over its two-second firing time during the test, which completes qualification testing for the Orion’s LAS. The first active LAS system will be integrated into the Orion spacecraft for Artemis II, the first crewed flight of SLS.

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