Aerojet has successfully conducted a static firing of the third nozzle risk reduction motor supporting the Orion jettison motor, a component of the spacecraft’s launch abort system (LAS).
The test validates several nozzle design changes implemented to enhance the safety and reliability of the jettison motor.
The third test met all test plan objectives and provided data to validate analytical models and demonstrate the increased robustness of new nozzle design modifications.
Orion’s LAS is designed to pull the crew module away from the rocket in the event of an emergency on the pad and during the initial ascent phase.
Aerojet designed and manufactured the motor required to jettison the LAS away from the crew module for both nominal and abort scenarios.
The test is a collaborative effort by Aerojet, Lockheed and Nasa to develop of the Orion crew exploration vehicle that is being produced for future manned spaceflights.
