Orion Drop Test 3

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Engineers at NASA Langley conducted the third drop test of the Orion test article as part of Phase 1 water impact testing on Nov. 8. The capsule was hoisted about 20 feet above the ground with a pitch of 17 degrees. It reached a horizontal velocity of about 22 mph before splashing into the Hydro Impact Basin. Test conditions represented stable seas.

 
A crowd of more than 100, including NASA Center Directors, Orion Program Managers and engineers, NASA Langley employees, support contractors, NASA Tweetup participants and media watched.
 
Image Credit: NASA/Sean Smith