Fri, Jan 24, 2020

SpaceX Recovers Crew Dragon Trunk From Abort System Test

Component Was Not Expected To Survive The Test

SpaceX has recovered a piece of the Crew Dragon abort test launch system that it did not expect to get back.

An expandable 'trunk' that carries a solar array, radiators and four fins was located in the Atlantic Ocean following the launch apparently having suffered minimal damage. That's a bit surprising, since SpaceX would have expected to only recover bits of debris from the component, which is built mainly out of carbon composites.

Telsarati reports not only did it have to survive the pressures of the abort test and (planned) destruction of the Falcon 9 rocket carrying the test spacecraft, it stayed in one piece when it hit the surface of the ocean at high velocity.

Still, SpaceX does not plan to try to recover the component regularly following launches, according to the report.

In all, the abort test was deemed to be a success, and SpaceX says it is on target to launch a crewed mission to ISS later this year.

(Image from Elon Musk's Twitter)

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SpaceX Recovers Crew Dragon Trunk From Abort System Test

Component Was Not Expected To Survive The Test

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