The unveiling commenced as the movable structure that houses the booster was rolled off to reveal the Ares I first stage motor. The completed rocket was installed horizontally in a test stand that was modified from the space shuttle’s four-segment configuration to fit the new five-segment Ares I booster. Instrumentation will be installed over the next month in preparation for the first major ground test of the NASA Constellation program August 25. The Ares I first stage has been under development since 2005. Based on the design of the space shuttle’s four-segment booster, the first stage differs from its predecessor in a few ways. These include the addition of a fifth-segment, changes to the propellant grain, a larger nozzle opening and upgraded insulation and liner. The propellant and cases remain the same as those used for more than three decades on the Space Shuttle Program. In fact, the cases used in this Ares I first stage ground test have collectively flown on 48 previous shuttle missions, including STS-1, the very first flight. NASA’s Ares I launch vehicle will launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle for missions to the International Space Station and the Moon. ATK is the prime contractor for the first stage five-segment solid rocket booster. The upcoming test will provide data to better understand how Ares I will perform.
A Boost For Ares I From ATK + NASA
Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK) and NASA marked a major milestone on the 40th anniversary of Apollo 11 landing on the moon, signifying the next steps in space travel to the moon and beyond, as they unveiled the first completed Ares I first stage five-segment solid rocket booster.
The unveiling commenced as the movable structure that houses the booster was rolled off to reveal the Ares I first stage motor. The completed rocket was installed horizontally in a test stand that was modified from the space shuttle’s four-segment configuration to fit the new five-segment Ares I booster. Instrumentation will be installed over the next month in preparation for the first major ground test of the NASA Constellation program August 25. The Ares I first stage has been under development since 2005. Based on the design of the space shuttle’s four-segment booster, the first stage differs from its predecessor in a few ways. These include the addition of a fifth-segment, changes to the propellant grain, a larger nozzle opening and upgraded insulation and liner. The propellant and cases remain the same as those used for more than three decades on the Space Shuttle Program. In fact, the cases used in this Ares I first stage ground test have collectively flown on 48 previous shuttle missions, including STS-1, the very first flight. NASA’s Ares I launch vehicle will launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle for missions to the International Space Station and the Moon. ATK is the prime contractor for the first stage five-segment solid rocket booster. The upcoming test will provide data to better understand how Ares I will perform.
The unveiling commenced as the movable structure that houses the booster was rolled off to reveal the Ares I first stage motor. The completed rocket was installed horizontally in a test stand that was modified from the space shuttle’s four-segment configuration to fit the new five-segment Ares I booster. Instrumentation will be installed over the next month in preparation for the first major ground test of the NASA Constellation program August 25. The Ares I first stage has been under development since 2005. Based on the design of the space shuttle’s four-segment booster, the first stage differs from its predecessor in a few ways. These include the addition of a fifth-segment, changes to the propellant grain, a larger nozzle opening and upgraded insulation and liner. The propellant and cases remain the same as those used for more than three decades on the Space Shuttle Program. In fact, the cases used in this Ares I first stage ground test have collectively flown on 48 previous shuttle missions, including STS-1, the very first flight. NASA’s Ares I launch vehicle will launch the Orion crew exploration vehicle for missions to the International Space Station and the Moon. ATK is the prime contractor for the first stage five-segment solid rocket booster. The upcoming test will provide data to better understand how Ares I will perform.
