Washington, DC – Today, the National Administration of Space and Aeronautics (NASA) held the Ares I-X test launch at the Kennedy Space Center in Cocoa, Florida. The Ares I-X rocket is a 327 foot tall aerodynamic model of Ares I, but only stage one is active. NASA will use the test launch as a learning experience. Although the flight only lasted six minutes, Ares I-X used over 700 high-fidelity sensors to collect enormous amounts of data. NASA will use the data to support the development of the operational Ares flight vehicles.
“I want to congratulate the NASA and contractor team on a successful Ares I-X test flight. This is an important milestone in the development of the vehicles that will carry Americans into a new era of exploration,” stated House Committee on Science and Technology Chairman Bart Gordon (D-TN).
“Today's successful launch was the result of a lot of hard work and solid engineering by a dedicated NASA and contractor team. It is one more significant achievement for the Constellation program, and a clear indication that NASA is on track with its human space exploration program,” added Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee Chairwoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-AZ).