Crew Dragon | In-Flight Escape Demonstration Recap

On Sunday, January 19, SpaceX successfully completed an in-flight test of Crew Dragon’s launch escape capabilities from Launch Complex 39A (LC-39A) at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This test, which did not have NASA astronauts onboard the spacecraft, demonstrated Crew Dragon’s ability to reliably carry crew to safety in the unlikely event of an emergency on ascent.

Falcon 9 and Dragon lifted off at 10:30 a.m. EST, or 15:30 UTC, with the abort sequence initiating approximately one and a half minutes into flight. Crew Dragon's eight SuperDraco engines powered the spacecraft away from Falcon 9 at speeds of over 400 mph. Following separation, Dragon's trunk was released and the spacecraft's parachutes were deployed, first the two drogue parachutes followed by the four upgraded Mark III parachutes. Dragon safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean and teams successfully recovered the spacecraft onto SpaceX's recovery vessel.

[benheinz]

It's telling that just a few years ago rocket reusability was a pipe dream, but now there are people complaining that it was a wase to destroy that rocket on only it's 4th flight.

[thejesuschrist]

SpaceX is one of the most redeeming factors of humanity.

[theadventuringnerd]

For once it’s a Rapid Scheduled Disassembly

[Keefster]

We are living in a time where history is being made.

[jimwilliams]

SpaceX your bringing a happy tear to my eye. I was 6 years old when Challenger broke apart. It really broke my heart. Just remember people, Shuttle Astronauts never had any chance to escape an explosion at those altitudes.

[Gabriel-cqut]

This is one of the most important Space X flights in history!

[DangItshere]

F for B1046
"A falcon must die for a dragon to fly"

[jorgeblanco]

This is really spectacular to see how a private company of this scales is making such leaps in simplifying space travel in such a short period of time! Simply amazing!!

[cp]

"We are the middle children of history. Born too late to explore the earth, born too early to explore the universe." - IDK

[seino__]

Last time I was this early Falcon heavy hadn't flown yet.

[wafumbafan]

Aren't rocket launches just the most badass things? I can't get enough of 'em.

[jamietodd]

I love the feeling of this accelerating Space Age.
Can't wait to see the crewed flight!

[joelo]

Can we get the full soundtrack? I can listen to this for hours.

[FacterinoCommenterino]

Today's fact: The term 'footage' comes from films being measured in feet, when being edited in the early days of film making.

[artiliam]

this is just mindblowing how quickly it's evolving, I'm mesmerized by this.

[DanielGomez-gwkt]

All right, the test was perfect.

Just in case if an emergency situation goes on, and if the rocket system explodes. The top capsule will escape, and the dragchutes or parachutes will have it safely Splash into the ocean

[horseradish]

"Houston we have a prob.. *ejects na we're alright, we'll try it again next time."

[ewfcowner]

This is amazing. I get butterflies in my stomach just watching this. So excited someone is taking us into the future

[itsadisood]

I remember how cloudy it was that day. So many professional camera setup failed in the dense clouds but thank you SpaceX for providing us with this brilliant quality video of the event! Go falcon 🚀 go dragon. 🐉

[sharewell]

Can't wait till we launch the on-board astronauts in the dragon