Mon, Jan 08, 2007
UT-Based Company Will Continue Development Of Ares I First
Stage
Aero-News learned Monday NASA has authorized a $48 million
contract for ATK Launch Systems of Brigham City, Utah, to continue
design and development of the first stage for the Ares I crew
launch vehicle.
The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid rocket
booster and motor similar to those used on the space shuttle, but
with a fifth motor segment added. The upper stage will consist of a
J-2X liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen engine and the associated
propellant tanks and fuel distribution systems.
Ares I will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle and its
crew of up to six astronauts, or other small cargo payloads, to
low-Earth orbit.
This Ares I first stage contract action will increase a first
stage task under an existing shuttle contract by $48 million for a
total work effort valued at $111 million. These activities are a
preparatory effort leading up to the Ares I first stage prime
contract, which will be awarded in the February 2007 timeframe.
NASA states
the contract action maintains the design, development, test and
evaluation schedule; expedites the procurement of new nozzle metal
hardware and production tooling for propellant casting and nozzle
fabrication; maintains the necessary design and engineering
analysis; and continues participation in pilot parachute
development tests.
The action also provides support for an initial test flight in
the spring of 2009 known as Ares I-1 and provides support for Ares
I-1 in preparation for Preliminary Design Review. The test flight
will use a simulated fifth segment on the first stage and a
simulated upper stage.
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