A pad abort test is a type of safety test performed on spacecraft to ensure that the spacecraft can safely escape from its launch vehicle in the event of a launch emergency. During the test, the spacecraft is launched from a stand-alone rocket booster, simulating an emergency situation. The spacecraft is then propelled away from the booster and its engines are fired to simulate an abort maneuver. The test is designed to ensure that the spacecraft can successfully separate from its launch vehicle and safely return its crew to Earth.