DALLAS, July 2, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacobs (NYSE:JEC), in support of NASA, successfully completed a crucial full-stress flight test of the Orion spacecraft's Launch Abort System (LAS), verifying the abort system can steer the spacecraft and astronauts aboard to safety if an emergency arises during ascent to orbit. The flight test, called Ascent Abort-2 (AA-2), is a critical step in helping demonstrate Orion's safety as NASA leads the next steps of human exploration to deep space.
Ascent Abort-2 lifts off from Space Launch Complex 46. Photo Credit: NASA
Ascent Abort-2 lifts off from Space Launch Complex 46. Photo Credit: NASA
Ascent Abort-2 lifts off from Space Launch Complex 46.
Orion Ascent Abort-2 full test article assembly and pad roll out. Photo Credit: NASA
"As NASA's largest services provider, we collaborate internally and partner with NASA to deliver mission-tailored solutions that enable safe exploration of the Moon and beyond," said Jacobs Aerospace, Technology and Nuclear Senior Vice President Steve Arnette. "Delivering full lifecycle aerospace capabilities across multiple NASA centers allows Jacobs to be integrally involved in supporting NASA's aggressive deep space exploration objectives."
Working with NASA, the Jacobs team played a crucial support role across five NASA centers in every project phase of AA-2, including design, development, fabrication, integration of crucial avionics and data collection systems, final launch processing and integration, and launch operations. Jacobs will also play a major role in full analysis of launch and test data captured from sensors and instruments for the mission.
With no astronauts on board, the test flight launched atop a booster from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, carrying a fully functional LAS and a 22,000-pound Orion test vehicle to an altitude of 31,000 feet at Mach 1.3 (over 1,000 Mph). At that point, the abort system engines quickly propelled the crew module away from the rocket within milliseconds, and data recorders jettisoned from the crew module before Orion reached the Atlantic Ocean.
The successful completion of AA-2 will help pave the way for NASA's Artemis 1 mission, the first uncrewed flight of NASA's Space Launch System rocket with the Orion crew capsule.
Jacobs leads the global professional services sector delivering solutions for a more connected, sustainable world. With approximately $12 billion in revenue and a talent force of more than 50,000, Jacobs provides a full spectrum of services including scientific, technical, professional and construction- and program-management for business, industrial, commercial, government and infrastructure sectors. For more information, visit www.jacobs.com, and connect with Jacobs on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking statements as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. Statements made in this release that are not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements. We base these forward-looking statements on management's current estimates and expectations as well as currently available competitive, financial and economic data. Forward-looking statements, however, are inherently uncertain. There are a variety of factors that could cause business results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements. For a description of some additional factors that may occur that could cause actual results to differ from our forward-looking statements see our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2018, and in particular the discussions contained under Item 1 - Business; Item 1A - Risk Factors; Item 3 - Legal Proceedings; and Item 7 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 29, 2019, and in particular the discussions contained under Part I, Item 2 - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; Part II, Item 1 - Legal Proceedings; and Part II, Item 1A - Risk Factors, as well as the Company's other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company is not under any duty to update any of the forward-looking statements after the date of this press release to conform to actual results, except as required by applicable law.
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