Sat, Aug 15, 2009
First Test Flight Set for October 31
For the first time in more than a
quarter-century a new space vehicle stands ready in NASA's Kennedy
Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building. The Ares I-X rocket, its
simulated crew module and launch abort system are assembled on a
mobile launch platform at Kennedy in preparation for launch this
fall.
The final segments of the Ares I-X were stacked on Aug. 13,
completing the 327-foot launch vehicle and providing the first look
at the finished rocket's distinctive shape. The Ares I-X flight
test is targeted for Oct. 31.
"More than three years of hard work with the NASA and contractor
team has brought us to this historic moment," said Bob Ess, Ares
I-X mission manager. "This flight test is a critical step in
continuing our design process for the Ares vehicle and the first
flight for the Constellation Program."
The Ares I-X is wired with more than 700 sensors to gather data
during the two-and-a-half minute flight test. The launch will
provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware,
facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I crew
launch vehicle. The data collected during the launch will allow
NASA to gather critical data during ascent of the integrated Orion
spacecraft and the Ares I rocket.
Ares I-X Assembled Photo Credit:
NASA
Now that the Ares I-X is assembled, numerous evaluations will be
run on all the rocket systems, including complex instruments that
will constantly measure the vehicle's movements as it launches and
the first stage separates. The evaluations include a process called
"modal testing," which will shake the stack slightly to test
stiffness of the rocket, including the pinned and bolted
joints.
FMI: www.nasa.gov
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