Shuttle Escape Device Is Tested by Astronaut

Astronaut Charles F. Bolden Jr. twice rode a safety basket at 50 m.p.h. down a 1,200-foot slide wire Friday to practice an emergency launch pad escape from the space shuttle Discovery. Two safety workers rode with him on the second trip.

It was the first time humans had ridden the basket escape system since it was installed several years ago for the shuttle program.

Astronauts and pad personnel would use the system in case of a fire, fuel or gas leak or other emergency on the pad that gave them time to reach the baskets.