First Ground Test of the Ares I Five-Segment Solid Rocket Motor Re-Sked

Alliant Techsystems Space Systems and NASA have finally identified the issue that resulted in the scrub of last week's test of the Ares 1 solid rocket motor system. A component of the ground controller unit, which sends power to the system that moves the nozzle during the test, failed and has been replaced.

The test has been rescheduled for Thursday, Sept. 10. Final testing of the ground system has continued over the weekend and early next week. The current schedule calls for the test to go off at 1300 MDT, at the ATK Space Systems facility in Promontory, Utah.

Test Objectives:

• A total of 46 design objectives will be measured through 650 instrument channels
• The Ares I design is based on the design of the space shuttle's four-segment booster
• The addition of the fifth segment will increase the maximum thrust performance to approximately 3.6 million pounds
• The first stage of Ares I has been under development since 2005. It measures 12 feet in diameter and 154 feet in length
• The cases have all previously flown on the space shuttle, collectively launching on 48 missions--including STS-1

  

If you happen to live locally, a public viewing area is available along State Road 83 North approximately 20 miles west of Corinne, Utah.

FMI: www.atk.com