SpaceX just successfully launched their Crew Dragon capsule for the first time
The entire test lasted for about 90 seconds. The capsule fired its eight SuperDraco engines for approximately six seconds, boosting the spacecraft about a mile above the surface where it then fell back to earth on a pair of three large parachutes.
SpaceX
The purpose of the launch was to test the spacecraft's SuperDraco engines are to, in the unfortunate event that a rocket would malfunction during launch, boost the spacecraft and its future crew members away from the rocket to safety.
Here's a shot of the spacecraft as it lifted off the launch pad Wednesday morning:
SpaceX
SpaceX
SpaceX has scheduled a second test flight for a yet-to-be-announced date later this year. The second test will be much harder because the spacecraft will have to successfully separate from a Falcon 9 rocket while in mid-flight. (Wednesday's test will not involve the launch of a Falcon 9.)
Here's a diagram showing step-by-step what happeend during Wednesday's test:
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