Pad Abort Test

A Pad Abort Test is a safety procedure for space capsules that simulates an emergency where the rocket needs to quickly lift off from the launch pad. It tests the spacecraft's ability to rapidly escape danger, like a fire or system failure, by activating its powerful engines to carry the crew safely away from the pad. This controlled test ensures that in real emergencies, astronauts can be safely evacuated, verifying the spacecraft’s abort systems function properly in time-critical situations.