What Does ATAL Stand For?

ATAL stands for Alternate Transoceanic Abort Landing

The Alternate Transoceanic Abort Landing (ATAL) is a contingency procedure designed for crewed spaceflight missions. It provides a predefined emergency landing option for spacecraft returning to Earth, ensuring safe recovery in the event of an in-flight abort scenario over oceanic regions. The ATAL procedure enhances mission safety by designating specific landing trajectories and locations, facilitating rapid response and recovery operations while minimizing risks to crew and vehicle.