Orion Capsule Launch Abort System Analysis
Abstract
The objective of this report is to provide an analysis the Orion spacecraft’s Launch Abort System
(LAS). A launch abort system aims to remove the crew away from a failing launch vehicle as soon
as possible during the liftoff and ascent phase. A survey of other designs for launch abort was
carried out to compare the tower system with integrated retrorockets or ejectable rockets. The
Orion LAS undergoes 5 distinct stages including liftoff, reorientation, LAS jettison, parachute
deployment, and water landing which can east be tested for loads analysis. A model was created in
CATIA V6, and will undergo CFD analysis in STAR-CCM+ and FEA analysis in Abaqus to
determine the optimal design parameters for crew safety such as drag coefficient, ballistic
coefficient, G-loading due to thrust, and structural loads on the vehicle during flight.
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