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Spaceflight 101's Orion Spacecraft Overview shows the following tests for the escape system.

Why are there eight ACS thrusters arranged octagonally? Is it just to reduce cosine losses or does this allow for better, or perhaps easier control?

Orion ACS thrusters

Orion's Jettison Motor

Update: I've just seen something similar, with a four and eight configuration of pulsed thrust for very rapid response. This is a screen shot of a video about India's Shakti ASAT kill vehicle.

enter image description here

Hat tip to @Ohsin for recommending this interesting video about the rocket, and the test itself: Official video on Mission Shakti (Project XSV1)

India Shakti ASAT Kill Vehicle

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    $\begingroup$ Huh. Do they use anything for roll control? Or do they just use the symmetry and mass of the capsule/LAS assembly to justify not having it? $\endgroup$ – Tristan Mar 14 '19 at 14:28
  • $\begingroup$ Interesting, now I have the same question about Apollo. I know one of the early Little Joe tests had a huge roll rate, I wonder if anything slowed it down after sep. $\endgroup$ – Organic Marble Mar 14 '19 at 14:38
  • $\begingroup$ @Tristan I've spotted something similar and added an update. $\endgroup$ – uhoh Apr 7 '19 at 1:06
  • $\begingroup$ @OrganicMarble ditto. $\endgroup$ – uhoh Apr 7 '19 at 1:06

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