Space Shuttle Abort Modes
A Space Shuttle abort was an emergency procedure due to equipment failure on NASA's Space Shuttle, most commonly during ascent. A main engine failure was a typical abort scenario. There were fewer abort options during reentry and descent. For example, the Columbia disaster happened during reentry, and there were no alternatives in that portion of flight.
Later in descent, certain failures were survivable, although not usually classified as an abort. For example, a flight control system problem or multiple auxiliary power unit failure would make reaching a landing site impossible, thus requiring the astronauts to bail out.
Read more about Space Shuttle Abort Modes: Ascent Abort Modes, Emergency Landing Sites, Post-Challenger Abort Enhancements, Ejection Escape Systems, Space Shuttle Abort History, See Also
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