Wed, Nov 05, 2008
Test Flight Of First Stage Targeted For July 2009
The first major flight hardware of the Ares I-X rocket has
arrived in Florida to begin preparation for the inaugural test
flight of the agency's next-generation launch system. The test
flight is targeted for July 12, 2009.
The Ares I-X upper stage simulator traveled to Port Canaveral
aboard the Delta Mariner, a ship that also transports the Delta IV
rocket for United Launch Alliance.
As ANN reported, the journey began October 22
on the Ohio River as the barge traveled toward the Mississippi
River for its voyage to Port Canaveral. By November 6, the flight
hardware will have been moved off the barge into high bay 4 of the
Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.
The upper stage simulator consists of 11 individual components
that were designed and manufactured during a two-year period at
NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. The components represent
the size, outer shape and weight of the second stage of the Ares I
rocket, and will be integrated together in the Vehicle Assembly
Building. The upper stage simulator eventually will be stacked atop
the solid rocket booster segments of the Ares I-X rocket.
The Ares I-X test flight will provide NASA an early opportunity
to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations
associated with the Ares I crew launch vehicle. It also will allow
NASA to gather critical data during ascent of the integrated Orion
crew exploration vehicle and the Ares I rocket.
NASA says the data will ensure the entire vehicle system is safe
and fully operational before astronauts begin traveling to
orbit.
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