Apollo LES Pad Abort test

A Launch Escape System (LES) is a top-mounted rocket connected to the crew module of a crewed spacecraft and used to quickly separate and launch the crew module away from the rest of the rocket in the case of an emergency. Since the escape rockets are above the crew module, the LES typically use separate nozzles which are angled away from the crew module to prevent the LES exhaust from hitting it. The LES is used in situations where there is an imminent threat to the crew, such as an impending explosion. Download high resolution version (346x608, 23 KB)Apollo LES Pad Abort Launch, White Sands, New Mexico. ... Download high resolution version (346x608, 23 KB)Apollo LES Pad Abort Launch, White Sands, New Mexico. ... A Redstone rocket, part of the Mercury program A rocket is a vehicle, missile or aircraft which obtains thrust by the reaction to the ejection of fast moving exhaust gas from within a rocket engine. ...

Historically, LES's were used on American Mercury and Apollo spacecraft. They continue to be used on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. The only emergency use of a LES occurred during the attempt to launch Soyuz T-10 on September 26, 1983. The rocket caught fire, just before launch. But the LES was able to carry the crew capsule clear, seconds before the rocket exploded. Project Mercury was the United States first successful manned spaceflight program. ... Apollo Program insignia Project Apollo was a series of human spaceflight missions undertaken by the United States of America using the Apollo spacecraft and Saturn launch vehicle, conducted during the years 1961–1972. ... The Soyuz human spaceflight programme was initiated in the early 1960s as part of the manned lunar programme that was intended to put a Soviet cosmonaut on the Moon. ... // Crew Vladimir Titov (1) Gennady Strekalov (3) Mission Parameters Mass: 6850 kg Perigee: N/A km Apogee: N/A km Inclination: N/A° Period: N/A minutes Mission Highlights The Soyuz T-10-1 mission (often called Soyuz-T 10a in the West) never lifted off, the launch vehicle being... September 26 is the 269th day of the year (270th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 96 days remaining. ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Russian Vostok and American Gemini spacecraft both made use of ejection seats. The European Space Agency's Hermes and the Russian Buran space shuttles would also have made use of them if they had ever flown with crews. As shown by Soyuz-T10, an LES must be able to carry a crew compartment from the launch pad to a height sufficient for its parachutes to open. Consequently, they must make use of large, powerful (and heavy) solid rockets. If possible, spacecraft designers prefer to use ejection seats as they are lighter and would be available for use when the spacecraft is returning to Earth. The Vostok program (Восто́к, translated as East) was a Soviet human spaceflight project that succeeded in putting a person into Earth orbit for the first time. ... Project Gemini insignia Project Gemini was the second human spaceflight program in which the United States of America sent humans into space, between Projects Mercury and Apollo, during the years 1963-1966. ... US Air Force F/A-22 Raptor ejection seat test using a mannequin. ... The European Space Agency (ESA), established in 1975,is an inter-governmental organisation dedicated to exploration of space with currently 17 member states. ... Artists impression of the Hermes Shuttle A cutaway view of the Hermes Shuttle Hermes was a proposed mini-shuttle designed by the European Space Agency that externally had a lot of similiarities with the US X-20. ... An artists rendition of a Soviet space shuttle lifting off atop the immense Energia booster. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia is initially launched using solid-fuel boosters Solid rockets are rockets with a motor that uses solid propellants (fuel/oxidizer). ...

Apollo spacecraft: Apollo Launch Escape System.

The Space Shuttle was initially fitted with ejection seats for the initial "shakedown" flights, but these were removed once the vehicle was deemed operational. Following the Challenger disaster, all surviving orbiters were fitted to allow for crew evacuation through the main hatch, though this can only be used when the shuttle is in a controlled glide. Apollo Launch Escape System diagram. ... Apollo Launch Escape System diagram. ... // Spacecraft Modules Apollo Spacecraft: Command Module, Service Module, Lunar Module. ... The Space Shuttle Columbia seconds after engine ignition, 1981 (NASA). ... Space Shuttle Challenger (NASA Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-099) was NASAs second Space Shuttle orbiter to be put into service, after Columbia. ...

See also

• Apollo spacecraft
• Apollo abort modes

// Spacecraft Modules Apollo Spacecraft: Command Module, Service Module, Lunar Module. ... During the course of the launch of an Apollo spacecraft by the Saturn V rocket there were several ways for the crew and computers to abort the flight. ...

External link

• 'Launch Escape Subsystem' - Detailed description of the Apollo launch escape system at http://www.apollosaturn.com/