NASA’s report on 9th June 2009 – the Crew Impact Attenuation Testing

A successful test of the Orion crew module's energy absorbing strut concept, was performed June 9, 2009, at the Landing and Impact Research Facility, called as the gantry. The 20,000-pound i.e. 9,072 kg apparatus, called the Crew Impact Attenuation System Test Article, represents the Orion crew module seat pallet that will provide accommodation to 4-6 astronauts.

The test article was dropped from 18-feet (5.5 m) onto crushable honeycomb material, which is sized to symbolize various landing conditions Orion could face. The energy-absorbing struts will decrease loads felt by the crew during landing.