SpaceX Upgrades Florida Launch Pad for Crewed Missions, Adds Escape System
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SpaceX has upgraded launch pad 40 in Florida to support crew launches, adding a 200-ft tower and crew access arm to load astronauts and cargo.
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The upgrades will get their first use loading last-minute cargo into a Dragon capsule for the CRS-30 supply mission to the ISS.
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An emergency escape chute was tested that allows quick evacuation from the tower in an emergency, using off-the-shelf technology.
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The upgrades make pad 40 nearly identical to pad 39A in capability, providing redundancy for crew launches.
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With SpaceX's high launch cadence, having two pads for crew flights provides flexibility when launch schedules overlap.