Space capsule goes splash!

Coolest test NASA Langley researchers have done in a while ... make sure you watch until the end! This is the first in a series of tests to see how a mock up of the Orion/Multi Purpose Crew Vehicle survives a water landing. The drop test happened at the same gantry where astronauts learned to land on the moon in the 60s and where dozens of aircraft have been crash tested.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• NASA
• Langley
• space
• capsule
• mpcv
• test
• exploration
• gantry
• Apollo
• splash
• drop

[NASALANGLEY]

This was the first of a series of impacts. Other tests will be at higher velocities with steeper angles.

[RGDcommentnode]

I've heard the Orion capsule could land on land, but they had to scrap the feature. It probably makes it non-reusable that way. Besides, it would probably need thrusters in order to soft land like a Soyuz capsule.

[NASALANGLEY]

@RGDcommentnode This same facility at NASA Langley also tested an airbag system that might have allowed the capsule to land on land - but it added a lot of weight to the design.

[diegogynbr]

what is the size of the capsule?

[NASALANGLEY]

@diegogynbr Orion MPCV is about 16.5 feet (5 m) wide at its base and weighs about 23 tons. The space capsule will have a pressurized volume of 690 cubic feet (20 cubic meters), with 316 cubic feet (9 cubic m) of habitable space, according to an official description. It's designed to carry four astronauts at a time and return to Earth with splashdowns in the Pacific Ocean off the California coast.

[jbdranger]

no on-board camera?

[NASALANGLEY]

@jbdranger We have an onboard data system to collect lots of information about the capsule's responses - no cameras for this test.

[xjTalk]

Now do Rosie O'donnell!

[theONLYiCEE]

Why doesn't GoPro sponsor NASA. :(

[LaBderErste]

@Midd3lEastBeast like compared to military and stuff

[v3n0mb0y]

3d!3d pleaaaaase!

[stardolphin2]

@Vid8addict What do you mean? That was a REAL impact, with REAL lateral motion, and REAL gravity, on REAL water, with a REAL Orion weight and shape...

[darthtortugas]

@Midd3lEastBeast then you must think the computer you are using or the internet or any modern electronic devices have all got something out of the race in space sure it may have been 3rd party contractors but without a contract they dont push boundaries and where did that contract come from NASA

[densityduckk]

Haha, my thesis advisor is still working there! (seriously, that's a good thing, they were cool and I'm glad to see that they still have a position at LaRC.)

[Midd3lEastBeast]

NASA = Biggest waste of money Ever!

[iLoveYoutuveVideos]

HOUSTON, WE HAVE NO PROBLEM!