SSTF@lemmy.world to pics@lemmy.world · 10 days agoTechnician working on a Saturn rocket on launch pad.lemmy.worldimagemessage-square12linkfedilinkarrow-up1212arrow-down10
arrow-up1212arrow-down1imageTechnician working on a Saturn rocket on launch pad.lemmy.worldSSTF@lemmy.world to pics@lemmy.world · 10 days agomessage-square12linkfedilink
minus-squareAngryCommieKender@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up6·10 days agoWhat’s the really long spindly thing on top of the crew capsule for?
minus-squareSSTF@lemmy.worldOPlinkfedilinkarrow-up11·10 days agoThat’s the Launch Escape System (LES). It’s a rocket motor that can activate to separate the crew capsule from the rest of the rocket in the event of a bad launch.
minus-squareAngryCommieKender@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up3·10 days agoAhh, gotcha. I assume it separates before the final stage booster ignites?
minus-squareCommissarVulpin@lemmy.worldlinkfedilinkarrow-up5·10 days agoYes, it gets jettisoned after the separation of the first stage and ignition of the second stage.
minus-squareSSTF@lemmy.worldOPlinkfedilinkarrow-up5·10 days agoI believe (though I’m not an expert on the system) that it separates during the second stage when it’s no longer needed.
What’s the really long spindly thing on top of the crew capsule for?
That’s the Launch Escape System (LES). It’s a rocket motor that can activate to separate the crew capsule from the rest of the rocket in the event of a bad launch.
Ahh, gotcha. I assume it separates before the final stage booster ignites?
Yes, it gets jettisoned after the separation of the first stage and ignition of the second stage.
I believe (though I’m not an expert on the system) that it separates during the second stage when it’s no longer needed.