Questions tagged [launch-escape-system]
A Launch Escape System (LES) is a system connected to the crew module of a manned spacecraft. It is used to quickly separate the crew module from the rest of the launch vehicle in case of emergency (such as an explosion of the rocket).
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Why don't unmanned launch vehicles include launch escape system for payload?
Mention of Launch Escape System (LES) brings to mind images of the crew on board a spacecraft ejecting at launch; the crew being the most valuable cargo on board.
Launch vehicles may also be unmanned,...
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Why didn't the Space Shuttle have a launch escape system?
Since the very beginning of space exploration, rockets had some sort of Launch Escape System (LES). From this Wikipedia article, we know that Mercury and Apollo had an escape tower, while Vostok and ...
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Why didn't Saturn V have grid fins? Long March and Soyuz do!
From the question What are these four “waffle-like” structures on top of the Long March 2F just launched? and @RussellBorogove's answer there we can see that the Long March 2F carrying the Shenzhou-11 ...
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Why not turn off the main engines while using the launch escape system on liquid fuelled engines?
I've seen a couple of launch escape systems firing and the rockets main engines are on, isn't it more safe if you turn off the engines? Edit: i agree that the engines turning off might be not so ...
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Why doesn't the BFR/Starship have a launch escape system?
This question let me wonder whether SpaceX' Starship has a launch escape system. It really seems to have none. The obvious question is why not, it sounds pretty negligent to me not to have some kind ...
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What exactly does it mean to human-rate a rocket? As opposed to the escape system?
The escape system is that thin pointy part at the very top of the rocket. It has powerful solid rockets that basically act as an "ejection seat" for the entire crew capsule.
So when we talk about "...
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Why did SpaceX choose to use Hydrazine over newer "green" propellants for Dragon 2?
Firstly, I understand the need to use hypergolics over cryogenics as part of Dragon 2's abort and landing sequence - they provide "instant on" thrust and are throttlable with very wide ...
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Were ejection seats on the Space Shuttle a practical safety system?
The first four STS missions were flown by Columbia with two pilots and had ejection seats as an option. These seats were eventually disabled (by STS 5) and removed (by STS-61-C). They could only be ...
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How was the Stabilo crewed re-entry vehicle supposed to work? A tractor engine with four nozzles?
ARCA Space's webpage for the Stabilo program has a description and an image. Hydrogen peroxide monopropellant? Reaction closer to the crew than the nozzle?
With thrust at the top, it seems that ...
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How did the attitude system of the uncrewed Soyuz 7K-OK No.1 fail on the launch pad in 1966, killing ground staff as LES was activated?
Wikipedia has a stub article on the loss of the Soyuz 7K-OK No.1 test flight in 1966-12-14, but this part doesn't make sense to me:
However, once the Soyuz rocket's engines ignited, they did not ...
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Challenger Shuttle: could the crew have survived?
Some sources point out that the shuttle cabin stayed intact following the solid rocket booster explosion, and that in fact, it is likely the crew died upon the cabin impact into the ocean.
The space ...
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Could the Apollo lunar ascent stage have separated from the descent stage before touchdown in an emergency?
In case the Apollo Lunar module had approached the landing site at way too high velocity, could the ascent stage have separated and returned to the command module before a crash? Thus performing a ...
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Why is the descent module of the Soyuz in the middle of its stack?
The Soyuz is made up of three major components/modules.
The Orbital module on top, basically a sphere, which is basically extra room, and contains the toilet, which allows for some modicum of ...
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Why were ejection seats used in Project Gemini instead of a tower escape system?
In Project Gemini, the Titan II GLV space rocket used as fuel hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide, so safety concerns over its toxic propellants were present. But along with the special care that was ...
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Is a low-altitude, stable glide really absolutely needed to bail out of the space shuttle?
After the Challenger disaster, the Space Shuttle astronauts were outfitted with pilot spacesuits equipped with parachutes and internal emergency oxygen supplies, and the space shuttle was equipped ...
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