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This article, Crew Dragon Launch Abort System, has recently been created via the Articles for creation process. Please check to see if the reviewer has accidentally left this template after accepting the draft and take appropriate action as necessary. Reviewer tools: Inform author

Crew Dragon Launch Abort System

Crew Dragon prototype DragonFly performing a pad abort demonstration.
Manufacturer	SpaceX
Country of origin	United States
Launch history
Status	Operational
Crew Dragon Launch Abort System
Powered by	8 * SuperDraco
Maximum thrust	71 kN
Burn time	25 seconds
Propellant	NTO/MMH

The Crew Dragon Spacecraft is equipped with a launch escape system designed to carry astronauts away from the Falcon 9 rocket in the case of an emergency. It has eight SuperDraco hypergolic engines capable of generating 71 kN of thrust.

The abort system has several modes, or procedures for performing an abort in different phases of flight, including a pad abort, an in-flight abort, and the ability to use the abort system to fly into a lower than expected orbit should a failure occur late in flight.

Recovery zones are placed along the 51.64 degree inclination of the ISS (International Space Station), and can be targeted with higher levels of precision than spacecraft such as Orion and Shenzhou of due to the throttling abilities of the SuperDraco engines. The recovery areas for a 2a abort are along the East Coast of the United States and the Canadian Maritime provinces, with a 2b abort landing the Crew Dragon capsule near Novia Scotia and the 2c and 2d abort modes resulting in a landing in Western Ireland.

Design

Traditionally, spacecraft like Apollo and Soyuz have utilized solid-fueled "puller" launch escape systems, with the main spacecraft beneath a protective fairing attached to the escape system. Once in space, the escape system and the fairing are jettisoned, with the spacecraft's mode of abort switched to using its orbital maneuvering thrusters or upper stages. Crew Dragon, however, has its abort system permanently attached to the sides of the spacecraft.

Part of the reasoning behind this design is that it was originally planned to land dragon propulsively using the launch abort system. (These plans were dropped after skepticism from NASA and the cancellation of SpaceX's Red Dragon capsule.) Additionally, the ability to keep the abort system attached to the rocket throughout the entire ascent rather than jettisoning the launch escape system after stage separation allows for an abort capability in all stages of flight, increasing crew safety.

Crew Dragon's "trunk", or cargo bay, also plays an important role in the abort sequence. Rather than leaving the trunk with the rocket like Apollo or Soyuz, Dragon keeps the trunk attached during an abort for aerodynamic stability. It is separated once the SuperDracos stop firing.

Abort Modes

The Crew Dragon has multiple abort modes for different phases of flight, each with its own landing zones and procedures. As the flight progresses, SpaceX mission control calls out switches between abort modes.

References

1. ^ "SpaceX Dragon Overview". spacex.com. Retrieved 24 September 2024.
2. Berger, Eric (2016-04-30). "From zero to 100mph in 1.2 seconds, the SuperDraco thruster delivers". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
3. "International Space Station - NASA". Retrieved 2024-09-25.
4. Jones, Daniel L. "Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) | Propulsion on Pad Abort 1 (PA-1)" (PDF). ntrs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
5. ^ Gebhardt, Chris (2020-05-21). "Examining Crew Dragon's launch abort modes and splashdown locations". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
6. Gilbert, Michael G. "THE MAX LAUNCH ABORT SYSTEM – CONCEPT, FLIGHT TEST, AND EVOLUTION" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-09-25. {{cite web}}: line feed character in |title= at position 56 (help)
7. published, Hanneke Weitering (2019-04-24). "The Emergency Launch Abort Systems of SpaceX and Boeing Explained". Space.com. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
8. Karcz; Davis; Aftosmis; Allen; Bakhtian; Dyakanov; Glass; Gonzales; Heldmann; Lemke; Marinova; McKay; Stoker; Wooster; Zarchi (Edquist). "RED DRAGON: LOW-COST ACCESS TO THE SURFACE OF MARS USING COMMERCIAL CAPABILITIES" (PDF). ntrs.nasa.gov. Retrieved 2024-09-25. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
9. Foust, Jeff (2017-07-19). "SpaceX drops plans for powered Dragon landings". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
10. Harwood, William (2020-05-27). "SpaceX Crew Dragon abort system a major boost for crew safety - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
11. "The SpaceX Crew Dragon - NASA". Retrieved 2024-09-25.
12. DeSisto, Austin (2020-05-24). "Crew Dragon Launch Day Timeline: From Suit Up to Docking with the ISS". Everyday Astronaut. Retrieved 2024-09-25.

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