SpaceX launch news: Watch the Crew Dragon fire its emergency systems in dramatic footage

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon could soon ferry NASA astronauts from US soil to the International Space Station (ISS). For the time being, however, SpaceX’s capsule has to undergo hundreds of safety tests on the ground and mid-flight. A brief video shared online by SpaceX shows the Dragon firings its escape thrusters.

The launch escape test was safely carried out on the ground, with Dragon firmly tethered to the ground.

In the event of a launch emergency, the escape system will safely yank the capsule away from its rocket and towards safety.

SpaceX said: “Test of Crew Dragon’s upgraded launch escape system ahead of static fire and in-flight abort tests – altogether we are conducting hundreds of test to verify the system’s advanced capabilities to carry astronauts to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency.”

SpaceX is expected to perform the static fire test next Saturday, November 2.

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The California-based company is developing the Crew Dragon for NASA under the Commercial Crew contract.

Since the end of the Space Shuttle programme in 2011, NASA has relied on its Russian counterpart Roscosmos to fly astronauts into orbit.

However, purchasing seats on Russian Soyuz rockets costs the US space agency around £70 million ($90 million) per launch.

SpaceX together with Boeing is working out a more cost-effective solution that will return launch capabilities to America.

The first step towards that goal is developing safe, manned spacecraft that can reach and dock with the ISS.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon is a modified version of the company’s Cargo Dragon, which SpaceX already uses to deliver supplies to the ISS.

What is the SpaceX Crew Dragon?

The Crew Dragon is a manned spacecraft designed to ferry humans and cargo to the International Space Station.

The Dragon is designed to carry up to seven astronauts at once in a pressurised capsule.

SpaceX said: “Towards the base of the capsule and contained within the nose cone are the Draco thrusters, which allow for orbital manoeuvring.

“Dragon’s trunk not only carries unpressurised cargo but also supports the spacecraft during ascent.”

The Dragon measures approximate 13ft in diameter and 26.7ft in height.

The capsule boasts a launch payload mass of 13, 228lbs and a return payload mass of 6,614lbs.

source: express.co.uk