Aug 14, 2009

Amber Philman Kennedy Space Center, Fla 321-867-2468 amber n philman@nasa gov

Ashley Edwards/Grey Hautaluoma Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1756/0668 ashley edwards-1@nasa gov, grey hautaluoma-1@nasa gov

RELEASE: 09-189

NASA COMPLETES ASSEMBLY OF ARES I-X TEST ROCKET

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla -- For the first time in more than a quarter-century, a new space vehicle stands ready in NASA's Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building The Ares I-X rocket, its simulated crew module and launch abort system are assembled on a mobile launch platform at Kennedy in preparation for launch this fall

The final segments of the Ares I-X were stacked on Aug 13, completing the 327-foot launch vehicle and providing the first look at the finished rocket's distinctive shape The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for Oct 31

"More than three years of hard work with the NASA and contractor team has brought us to this historic moment," said Bob Ess, Ares I-X mission manager "This flight test is a critical step in continuing our design process for the Ares vehicle and the first flight for the Constellation Program "

The Ares I-X is wired with more than 700 sensors to gather data during the two-and-a-half minute flight test The launch will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I crew launch vehicle The data collected during the launch will allow NASA to gather critical data during ascent of the integrated Orion spacecraft and the Ares I rocket

Now that the Ares I-X is assembled, numerous evaluations will be run on all the rocket systems, including complex instruments that will constantly measure the vehicle's movements as it launches and the first stage separates The evaluations include a process called "modal testing," which will shake the stack slightly to test stiffness of the rocket, including the pinned and bolted joints

Video B-roll of the Ares I-X will be available on NASA Television's Video File feed For NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information, visit:

http://www nasa gov/ntv

To follow Ares I-X processing on Twitter, visit:

http://twitter com/NASA_Ares_I_X

For more information about the Ares I-X and NASA's next-generation spacecraft, visit:

http://www nasa gov/ares

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