Ares 1 Stage Separation Test Successful

The development of NASA’s next-generation crew launch vehicle, the Ares I rocket, took another step forward Thursday as ATK successfully tested a critical piece. ATK conducted a full-scale separation test of the forward skirt extension for the Ares I-X flight test in Promontory, Utah. Yesterday’s test simulated the separation event that will take place following the first stage flight of Ares I-X. During the Ares I-X flight, the booster will separate at the frustum, a cone-shaped piece that attaches the first stage to the larger diameter upper stage. [More]

The development of NASA’s next-generation crew launch vehicle, the Ares I rocket, took another step forward Thursday as ATK successfully tested a critical piece. ATK conducted a full-scale separation test of the forward skirt extension for the Ares I-X flight test in Promontory, Utah. Yesterday’s test simulated the separation event that will take place following the first stage flight of Ares I-X. During the Ares I-X flight, the booster will separate at the frustum, a cone-shaped piece that attaches the first stage to the larger diameter upper stage. [More]