text: Orion Launch Abort System On Tour - NASA Watch
  Orion Launch Abort System Stops in Philadelphia During Cross Country Trek, Ken Kremer\n\n\"A full scale mock-up of the Orion Launch Abort System (LAS) is hitting the road for a cross country trek of several museums and science centers. The public can see the LAS spacecraft hardware up close and personal and learn about the Orion crew vehicle and abort system.\"\n\n Keith's note: Orion will now be used as a crew return vehicle - only - from the ISS. No crew will be launched in it. Therefore no launch escape system will be needed. Why is NASA exhibiting a piece of hardware that no longer has any use? Does this exhibit inform the public of the changes in NASA's Orion plan?