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Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Science The Ares 1-X Rumbles to the Launchpad

Posted by Jonathan Golob on Wed, Oct 21, 2009 at 11:36 AM

The Ares 1-X rocket rumbled out to Launch Pad 39B in preps for an absolutely critical test launch next week. The Ares rocket is meant to replace the shuttle and provide a safer way to send people into orbit—cannibalizing components from both the shuttle program and the Saturn V rockets. This will be the tallest rocket launched since the Saturn V during the Apollo era.

Keep your eyes peeled on October 27th for the launch. It should be a good show, either way.

Comments (8) RSS

Oldest First Unregistered On Registered On Add a comment

ive got a raging NRB right now.
(no reason boner)

Posted by derrickito on October 21, 2009 at 11:49 AM

Meh. Skinny 9-incher versus fat 6-incher.

Posted by rob!

on October 21, 2009 at 12:15 PM

The thing that's sort of ironic about this image is that you've got this prototype of a third generation launch vehicle (assuming the original Saturn V stack represents the first generation) riding atop a 40-plus year-old transport crawler.

A testament to an era when we still knew how to build things designed to last decades.

Philip Koehring would be very proud today.

Posted by COMTE

on October 21, 2009 at 1:35 PM

Man. I'm no expert, but that looks like a huge fucking rocket to me.

Posted by Ben on October 21, 2009 at 3:21 PM

Just a few feet shorter than the Saturn V, although much thinner.

Posted by COMTE

on October 21, 2009 at 3:57 PM

The space shuttle's advantage seems to be the return to earth, and that's about it. I guess with this they'd be returning in a parachute-rigged capsule?

Posted by Free Lunch on October 21, 2009 at 5:01 PM

@3 - The crawlers are pretty awesome, insofar as they look like they're straight out of a cyberpunk comic. The Russians, alternatively, deliver their rockets horizontally on train tracks and tilt them up at the pad:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/1774979/mi…

Remember, on the Ares I-X, the new 4th segment of the SRB and everything above it are just dummy mass. This launch is mostly a test of handling and delivery procedures. No second stage will lite after separation, everything will just fall back to earth.

Grumble: A Delta IV heavy can beat the yet-to-be-built Ares I on safety, cost, and environmental impact for equivalent payloads:
http://www.floridatoday.com/content/blog…
And if you really think Ares is safer, google "100% Fratricide"

Posted by opticsdoug on October 22, 2009 at 6:20 AM

Correction to my post @7 - the SRB first stage has 4 working segments, and the new 5th segment, second stage, Orion CEV and abort system are all mass simulators.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqmS0dnwR…

Posted by opticsdoug on October 22, 2009 at 8:46 AM