Ares I-X Rocket Arrives at Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39B
October 20, 2009 // Published as a news service by IHS
NASA's Ares I-X flight test vehicle arrived at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida atop of a giant crawler-transporter.
The vehicle is scheduled to launch at 8 a.m. on Oct. 27 for a test flight to test and prove hardware, models, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I launch vehicle.
The Ares I rocket is designed to carry astronauts to space in the Orion crew exploration vehicle.
The Ares I-X test flight will allow NASA to gather critical data during ascent of the vehicle's integrated stack, which includes the Ares I with a simulated upper stage, Orion and launch abort system.
Data collected from more than 700 sensors throughout the rocket will begin to confirm the vehicle is safe and stable in flight before astronauts begin traveling into orbit.
During the week before launch, technicians will perform electrical and mechanical checks to ready the vehicle for flight, including hydraulic power unit hot fire, steering tests and internal power verifications using flight batteries.
At the Flight Test Readiness Review on Oct. 23, mission managers will finalize the launch date and provide the team with a final "go" or "no go" for launch.
Ares I-X is an uncrewed, suborbital development test in a modified Ares I configuration. Ares I-X is the first developmental flight test of the Constellation Program, which includes the Ares I and V rockets, Orion and the Altair lunar lander.
For information about Ares I-X, visit NASA's Constellation Program web page.
Source: NASA.