Blast off from zero to 100 mph in 1.2 seconds on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft during its May 6th Pad Abort Test. The test reached a maximum velocity of 345 mph before the trunk separated, the spacecraft’s heat shield pointed downward, and the two sets of parachutes deployed. This point-of-view (POV) footage shows us what it might look like to be an astronaut on board.
During today’s test, Crew Dragon carried a test dummy equipped with sensors in order to gather all the data necessary to help ensure a safe environment for future crew. Had humans been on board today, they would have been in great shape.
This test will provide valuable data for future flight testing of the Crew Dragon spacecraft, including a high-altitude abort test and an uncrewed mission to the Space Station.
This graphic highlights each step of the two minute test. Pair the POV video with this view from afar:
A human crew onboard is planned for sometime in 2017. For a play-by-play of the test, visit SpaceX.com.
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