We don't need to guess about these things. They keep it until after second stage separation because they might need to actually use it for an abort up through

We don't need to guess about these things. They keep it until after second stage separation because they might need to actually use it for an abort up through that point. Here's a link confirming that the Saturn V launch abort system was retained until 30 seconds after the second stage separation for exactly that reason: https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/CSM15_Launch_Escape_Subsystem_pp137-146.pdf https://www.hq.nasa.gov/alsj/CSM15_Launch_Escape_Subsystem_p... I couldn't find such detailed information on SLS, but it's a similar rocket with the same design philosophy and this logic likely applies equally. The acceleration of the launch abort system on its own, when it's not dragging the entire capsule with it, is double digit gees. The main rocket is not going to catch up to it and run into it.