NASA Orion drop test - GIF

[Altair]

NASA personnel drop testing a test version of the Orion spacecraft at NASA's Langley Research Center's Landing and Impact Research Facility in Hampton, Virginia.




Previously:

NASA Mercury capsule - photo
NASA Go Navigator lifts SpaceX Dragon 2 capsule from water - GIF
1960 C-119J mid-air recovery of satellite capsule - photo and video
NASA shuttle dynamic test stand - photo
NASA rescue ball - photos

[Frank S]

Don't open the hatch Gus

[JoeVanGeaux]

Don't open the hatch Gus

I get the reference to Gus and, fortunately for him, he was fully exonerated when his capsule was ultimately recovered and examined. Along with testimony from a witness in the recovery chopper, it was determined that when the chopper made contact with the capsule's antenna a static discharge ignited the mercury fulminate charge used to eject the hatch... prematurely in that instance.

I almost forgot. I'll bet there were some red faces and possibly pink slips following that Orion splash down test!