A rocket designed to replace the aging space shuttle is set for its first test-flight, despite questions over the future of the programme. If there are clear skies, the 100m-long Ares I-X will blast off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center on 27 October. The two-minute flight will allow Nasa to test technology crucial for the development of the manned Ares I craft. A high-profile report has cast doubt on the future of the Ares rocket, which is intended to enter service in 2015.
If there are clear skies, the 100m-long Ares I-X will blast off from Nasa's Kennedy Space Center on 27 October.
The two-minute flight will allow Nasa to test technology crucial for the development of the manned Ares I craft.
A high-profile report has cast doubt on the future of the Ares rocket, which is intended to enter service in 2015.
HAWTHORNE, Calif. -- Asked what bugs them most about NASA outsourcing the job of flying crews to the international space station, some astronauts roll their eyes and say: "Dragon." That's the name of the capsule being built by SpaceX, the aerospace startup founded by Internet tycoon Elon Musk. It's a vehicle that's designed to be fully automated. .... f SpaceX and other companies can persuade the White House to allow them to launch humans into space, Dragon could be the next U.S. spacecraft to take astronauts to the space station after the shuttle is retired. A presidential panel examining NASA's plans said that the agency needs to find cheaper ways to get people into space. Using companies like SpaceX to ferry astronauts to and from the station, the panel said, could free NASA to pursue more-ambitious goals, such as building larger spaceships capable of exploring the solar system. .... A model of Dragon - which will initially be used to haul cargo - has already been put on a test stand and pushed and pulled and shaken. And it has been pressure- and noise-tested as safe for people. NASA makes no secret that it needs SpaceX after the shuttle is retired. Though humans can continue to ride to the station aboard Russianbuilt Soyuz rockets, about 88,000 pounds of supplies need to be hauled aloft between 2010 and 2015. .... In 2006, NASA signed a $278 million agreement with SpaceX to demonstrate it could fly cargo to the station. The company has met 14 of the contract's 22 milestones and has drawn all but $44 million of the funding. Last year, it was awarded 12 cargo-resupply missions for approximately $1.6 billion. But it's the company's desire to haul people that has grabbed attention and concern.
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f SpaceX and other companies can persuade the White House to allow them to launch humans into space, Dragon could be the next U.S. spacecraft to take astronauts to the space station after the shuttle is retired. A presidential panel examining NASA's plans said that the agency needs to find cheaper ways to get people into space. Using companies like SpaceX to ferry astronauts to and from the station, the panel said, could free NASA to pursue more-ambitious goals, such as building larger spaceships capable of exploring the solar system.
A model of Dragon - which will initially be used to haul cargo - has already been put on a test stand and pushed and pulled and shaken. And it has been pressure- and noise-tested as safe for people. NASA makes no secret that it needs SpaceX after the shuttle is retired. Though humans can continue to ride to the station aboard Russianbuilt Soyuz rockets, about 88,000 pounds of supplies need to be hauled aloft between 2010 and 2015.
In 2006, NASA signed a $278 million agreement with SpaceX to demonstrate it could fly cargo to the station. The company has met 14 of the contract's 22 milestones and has drawn all but $44 million of the funding. Last year, it was awarded 12 cargo-resupply missions for approximately $1.6 billion. But it's the company's desire to haul people that has grabbed attention and concern.
Of course, Ares isn't a French word at all, but is Greek for the god of blood-lust.
Just sayin' Never underestimate their intelligence, always underestimate their knowledge.
Frank Delaney ~ Ireland
