{"id":19647,"date":"2015-05-05T22:05:01","date_gmt":"2015-05-05T14:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/how-to-watch-spacex-test-its-dragon-capsule-launch-abort-system\/"},"modified":"2015-05-05T22:05:01","modified_gmt":"2015-05-05T14:05:01","slug":"how-to-watch-spacex-test-its-dragon-capsule-launch-abort-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/how-to-watch-spacex-test-its-dragon-capsule-launch-abort-system\/","title":{"rendered":"How to watch SpaceX test its Dragon capsule launch abort system"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"spacex11212\"
SpaceX\u2019s Dragon capsule was on display in Seattle earlier this year.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

SpaceX is running another space travel test on Wednesday, this time to make sure its abort procedures are working properly.<\/p>\n

For the first time, the Elon Musk-led company will test an eject button for astronauts who will travel in SpaceX\u2019s Dragon 2 capsule.<\/p>\n

In order to get astronauts away from the rocket in case of an emergency, SpaceX built technology to eject the entire spacecraft from the Dragon launch vehicle thanks to eight rocket engines built into the walls of the spacecraft.<\/p>\n

The company explained why its abort process is unique:<\/p>\n

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Previous launch abort systems have been powered by a rocket tower mounted on top of the spacecraft. During an emergency, the tower would ignite and essentially pull the spacecraft to safety. This works well while the spacecraft is on the launch pad and for a few minutes into ascent, but once the vehicle reaches a certain altitude, the system is no longer useful and must be discarded.<\/p>\n

SpaceX\u2019s launch abort system, however, is integrated directly into the spacecraft. This means Crew Dragon will have launch escape capability from the launch pad all the way to orbit.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

\"padabortinfographic\"<\/p>\n

There will be a dummy on board to collect data on the forces experienced inside the spacecraft. SpaceX noted that \u201cthe odds of encountering delays or issues are high.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFortunately the test doesn\u2019t need to be perfect to be valuable \u2014 our primary objective is to capture as much data as possible as the data captured here will be key in preparing Crew Dragon for its first human missions in 2017,\u201d the company added.<\/p>\n

The original Dragon was the first commercial spacecraft to resupply the International Space Station. The Dragon 2, meanwhile, is built to carry astronauts into space.<\/p>\n

The unmanned launch is scheduled on Wednesday from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and will take place any time between 4 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. PST. You can watch the launch on the SpaceX livestream, NASA TV, and NASA\u2019s UStream channel.<\/p>\n

Last month, SpaceX was almost successful in landing its Falcon 9 rocket on its \u201cautonomous drone ship\u201d in the Atlantic after blasting its Dragon capsule to the International Space Station.<\/p>\n

Update, May 6: <\/strong>SpaceX completed its test Wednesday morning:<\/p>\n