NASA Tests Its Orion Capsule

In the test, conducted at the White Sands Missile Range in the barren southern New Mexico desert, the Orion capsule was catapulted about a mile into the air and landed about 1 mile north of the launch site. The unmanned capsule left a stream of white smoke as it arched toward the north. Several hundred people watched the test early Thursday morning. (NASA TV)

Orion is only one small element of the now-cancelled plans to replace the aged space shuttle program, a program called Constellation. NASA would have replaced the shuttle with a heavy lift rocket, called Ares, and the Orion capsule to transport crew members.  (NASA TV)

The test Thursday morning were aimed at Orion's launch-abort system, which will whisk astronauts and the capsule to safety in case of a problem on the launch pad, such as a fire, or during the climb to orbit. (NASA TV)

It will be one hour after Thursday's launch before NASA can determine if the test was a success. (NASA TV)

Here, the capsule separates from the supposedly malfunctioning rocket carrying it into space and begins abort procedures. (NASA TV)

A close-up shot of the capsule, intended to carry crew members into space, separating from the rocket transporting it. (NASA TV)

The rocket separates successfully from the rocket. (NASA TV)

(NASA TV)

The first of three parachutes deploys, which will eventually bring the capsule safely back to the desert floor. (NASA TV)

The capsule descends, depending from three parachutes that safely lowered it to the desert sands below.  (NASA TV)