PA-1 tested the basic functionality of the launch abort concept from the pad in its preliminary Orion design configuration.

For example, the FTA did not have a crew on board, and the avionics were a prototype of what is planned for production Orions.

[2] The PA-1 test took place on 6 May 2010 at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

It was also the final flight done under the auspice of the Constellation program before it was cancelled.

[3] This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.