Sept 22, 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: 09-219

NASA SETS TARGET DATE FOR ARES I-X ROCKET'S TEST LAUNCH

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla -- NASA is targeting Tuesday, Oct 27, for the flight test of the Ares I-X rocket, pending successful testing and data verification Senior managers made the decision after a meeting Monday at NASA Headquarters in Washington

The Oct 27 target date has been confirmed with the Air Force's Eastern Range The launch window will extend from 8 a m to noon EDT There is another launch opportunity on Oct 28 The date will be finalized at a Flight Test Readiness Review scheduled for Oct 23 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida

Technicians at Kennedy have completed the stacking, or assembly, of the rocket on a mobile launch platform This week, Ares I-X team members are conducting a launch countdown simulation and conducting final checks of the rocket's systems The checks will begin with the launch abort system simulator atop the rocket and continue down to its aft skirt The rocket is targeted to roll out to Kennedy's Launch Pad 39B on Oct 19

The launch will provide NASA with an opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations, while gathering critical data for the Ares I rocket and future launch vehicles To follow Ares I-X processing on Twitter, visit:

http://www twitter com/NASA_Ares_I_X

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

http://www nasa gov/ares

-end-

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