As SpaceX gets closer to putting astronauts on their spacecraft, they are fine-tuning their equipment with the best possible security measures.
According to CBS News, SpaceX performed a successful test of their astronaut ejection system earlier this month. The feature is designed to propel the astronaut from the spacecraft if something goes awry in the early stages of a launch.
The company shared a video of the test that was shot from the perspective of the dummy standing in for the astronaut that would be ejected.
"Had there been people on board, they would have been in great shape," NBC News quoted Elon Musk, founder and CEO of SpaceX, telling reporters after the test.
The company is under contract with NASA to fly unmanned resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX also has a contract with NASA to fly astronauts to the ISS, which begins in 2017.
The upcoming contract is part of NASA's effort to lessen its reliance on Russia's space agency in regards to the ISS, ferrying astronauts to and from in particular. SpaceX will be altering the Dragon capsule it typically uses for cargo and equipment to be suitable for humans.
The company seems on track to send astronauts to the ISS as scheduled in 2017.
