It still doesn't look as impressive as the Saturn V, but at 327 feet it's only 36 feet shorter, and weighs in at 1.3 million pounds - which is way lighter. It still packs 3.3 million lb of goofmph though!
Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Launch Date: Oct. 27
Launch Time: 8 a.m. EDT
Launch Pad: 39B
Launch Site: NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida
NASA's first flight test for the agency's next-generation spacecraft and launch vehicle system, called Ares I-X, will bring NASA one step closer to its exploration goals. The flight test will provide NASA with an early opportunity to test and prove flight characteristics, hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I.
I thought the whole thing was going to get canned because of budget cuts at NASA and they were going to extend the life of ISS and maintain the shuttle program a bit longer. One on of the NASA big wigs was on the news not so long ago making some kind of announcement?
Well in his words he said that's where the buck stops. So don't ask me I don't understand either what they're up to.
Fishing for funding...this is an old method of getting funding for something that "appears" to be in dire straits. You make out as if the thing you want funding is in danger of being cut completely, make as much noise about it as you can and then put a possible deadline on the project. Works especially well when there's some competition about, like China's space program...and then you throw in the old bogey man,"They're going to get there first. We can't allow that!!!".
Hopefully, Congress listens and then doles out the funding needed.
Here are the comparative heights of the Saturn, the Ares-I (crew) and Ares-V (gear). The A-5 is pretty impressive, but needs something. Maybe a nicer paint job?
I don't understand either what they're up to.
