July 2009 Test Launch
A Max Launch Abort System test vehicle was launched July 8, 2009, at 6:26 a.m. EDT. The test vehicle weighed over 45,000 pounds (20,000 kg) and was over 33 feet (10 m) tall.
The test vehicle was different from the actual system in many ways. The main difference is that the four propulsion rockets were not located in the forward fairing, but in a boost skirt located at the bottom of the test vehicle. The rockets in the fairing were represented by geometric dummies. The propulsion thrust was not balanced between the rockets by a manifold system, contrary to what is foreseen with the actual system.
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