Three seconds... That’s all it took for the attitude control motor of NASA’s Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) to prove that its material can survive not only the intense temperatures, pressures, noise and vibrations experienced during a launch emergency but also 40 percent beyond. The LAS is being designed to bring a crew to safety should there be a problem in the launch pad or during ascent. "We tested over the maximum expected environments to assure the motor could withstand an abort emergency," explained LAS chief engineer Wayne Walters. On March 4, Orbital ATK, in collaboration with NASA and Lockheed Martin, completed its latest test of one of the most complex solid rocket systems ever built for the LAS. Artist's concept of the attitude control motor in operation during an abort. Graphic credit: NASA #nasa #Orion #las #testing #space #exploration #journeytomars #graphic #art