NASA contractor SpaceX successfully tested new technology that ejects astronauts from a manned Dragon spacecraft in the event of a bungled launch. The test took place on Wednesday, and consisted of the prototype Dragon rocket ejecting a payload of ersatz astronauts and then gently parachuting back down to Earth. Crew members can be ejected from the spacecraft while it is still on the launch pad through its entry into low-Earth orbit.

NASA called the test "an important step in NASA's endeavor to rebuild America's ability to launch crews to the International Space Station from U.S. soil".