Ares I-X

[Umbran]

The Ares I-X rocket is on the pad at the Kennedy Space Center, waiting for its first test flight on October 27th.

NASA - NASA's Ares I-X Rocket

Ares I-X at the Launchpad | Universe Today

One can argue at great length about whether the current program is the best we could pursue, but for now we put that aside - this is the first new launch vehicle to hit the pad in over a quarter century. It's flight is something to look forward to.

 

[El Mahdi]

Yeah, this is pretty cool. It's awesome to think we're heading back to the moon in a few years.

My wife and I were just in Cocoa Beach this spring to see the shuttle launch (we missed the night launch this summer though - crap). We took the tour at the center the next day and they pointed out the modifications to the pad for the Ares/Constellation program (three seriously huge lightning towers). They only had one pad modified when we were there though. Don't know if they've started with the other pads or not.

 

[Rykion]

It's definitely nice to see a new vehicle from NASA after all these years. I hope it helps rekindle a more adventurous spirit of exploration.

 

[Bullgrit]

I've read through some articles and the Wikipedia page, but I guess I'm just not familiar enough with the general tech to understand. What is special about this craft? How is it different -- in non-deep-tech terms -- from something like the old Saturn V rockets?

Bullgrit

 

[Umbran]

Well, let's just start by noting - even if we wanted to, we could not actually make another Saturn V rocket. Major portions of the plans have been lost - if we want to lift that much stuff into space, we need a new machine to do it.

Now, in non-deep technical terms - the Constellation/Ares program is pretty much a bid to get us capabilities we have with the Shuttle (which is about to retire) and had in the Saturn V (which we have lost).

The Ares I is intended to lift about as much as the Shuttle to Low Earth Orbit (about 25,000 kg). The Ares V is supposed to match the Saturn V to LEO (so, lift 188,000kg).

All of the Ares variants are what we call "shuttle derived launch vehicles", meaning that much of their tech is adapted from the Shuttle launch systems, with some updating. The Saturn V was all liquid fuels. The Ares vehicles use some liquids, and some solid rocket boosters.

 

[El Mahdi]

Scrubbed for the day (due to high winds).

They'll try again tomorrow.

 

[El Mahdi]

It's cleared the tower!

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

It always feels kinda backwards to have a non-reusable launch vehicle. I so wish something like Project Sänger would have been completed. Or be considered a new - I mean it is possible it was not possible then, but maybe it can be done now.

But it's certainly great that they have something new that will satisfy the needs of future space exploration. And successful test launches are always awesome.

 

[Umbran]

It always feels kinda backwards to have a non-reusable launch vehicle.

We must be wary of false economy. It would seem to be a win to have a reusable vehicle, but we must remember how much more engineering and technology and maintenance and oversight must go into a vehicle to make it and keep it reusable.

The Shuttle was arguably the most complicated machine on the planet. For most jobs getting to orbit you don't need such a complicated machine.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

We must be wary of false economy. It would seem to be a win to have a reusable vehicle, but we must remember how much more engineering and technology and maintenance and oversight must go into a vehicle to make it and keep it reusable.

The Shuttle was arguably the most complicated machine on the planet. For most jobs getting to orbit you don't need such a complicated machine.

Well, "reusable" only makes sense if you don't use up more resources for building and maintaining it then when you use a non-reusable space craft. It was apparently not seen possible so far. Maybe it isn't and will never be or for a long time.

But maybe it is just not possible because we don't have the focus on creating such a craft, and instead want or need to explore space _now_ and have to finance these missions first.