Space Travel Guide
...

Our Universe Physics World FAQs Help? Site tree Home

Abort Modes

Sometimes it may become necessary to abort the mission if a there is a failure that affects the vehicle performance such as failure of main engine or orbital maneuvering system failure.

There are two basic types of ascent abort modes for space shuttle missions:

• Intact aborts

Contingency aborts.

An intact abort would provide a safe return of the orbiter to a planned landing site. On the other hand a contingency abort is designed to permit the crew to survive severe failures when an intact abort is not possible.


Related Links Topic Summary                                                                                       <-Back Next->