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NASA Dryden Flight Research Center has a critical role in the early development of the Constellation systems. Applying Dryden�s expertise with testing unique flight configurations, Dryden is helping to manage and implement the abort flight tests for the Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle. Dryden will lead the development and integration of the full-size Orion test articles along with development of the ground support equipment, flight instrumentation and launch facility construction for the early pad abort and all ascent abort flight tests.

The Orion Abort Flight Test effort includes two pad abort tests, simulating aborts during a launch pad emergency, and four ascent aborts, simulating aborts during first stage flight of Orion spacecraft. Dryden manages procurement and oversees development of the solid fuel abort test booster rockets used for ascent abort testing, and is responsible for the integration of the Orion test articles with their booster rockets.

NASA Dryden is also supporting Constellation program technical integration activities.

Future Dryden support roles include assisting with the development of lunar lander test and verification support and flight simulation support of the Constellation training facility. Other potential support include west coast recovery operations, and operation of a lunar / Mars surface analog test site.

The Orion Abort Flight Test project is managed by NASA Dryden under the leadership of the Project Orion Flight Test Office at NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas.