Ares I-X Processing Latest

[jacqmans]

News Release Issued: October 8, 2009 4:02 PM EDT

ATK and NASA Team Complete Another Successful Ares I Main Parachute Drop-Test

Main Parachute Passes Third Key Test for NASA Program

Ares I Parachute System will be used Operationally on Ares I-X


MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliant Techsystems (NYSE: ATK), the prime contractor for the first stage of the Ares I launch vehicle, along with NASA, the U.S. Army, and United Space Alliance (USA), successfully conducted the third in a series of four Ares I main parachute drop-tests. These tests aid the development of the deceleration system for the Ares I First Stage solid rocket motor. The test was conducted at the Army's Yuma Proving Grounds.

The test consisted of extracting a 72,000 pound test payload from a C-17 aircraft flying at 25,000 feet, tying the record for largest single payload pulled from a C-17. Following the extraction, a 60,000 pound test article (jumbo dart) was separated from the pallet. The jumbo dart was then allowed to accelerate to the desired conditions before the 150-foot-diameter main parachute was deployed. The objective of this test was to develop and measure a load on the main parachute similar to that expected during Ares I flight.

"This is yet another successful milestone for the Ares I program, which has been steadily progressing over the past four years," said Mike Kahn, executive vice president of ATK Space Systems. "We are looking forward to seeing this parachute system function in just a matter of weeks during the launch of Ares I-X."

The newly-developed Ares I parachute system is already packed and ready to be used operationally during the flight test of Ares I-X, a full scale launch vehicle with an inert upper stage. Ares I-X is one of many systems that will provide valuable flight data that will aid in finalizing the design of Ares I.

The Ares I launch vehicle, which is slated to replace the Space Shuttle, utilizes a five-segment reusable solid rocket developed from the twin four-segment boosters used to launch the Space Shuttle. Like the recovery system for the shuttle boosters, the Ares first stage recovery system will consist of pilot and drogue chutes that reorient and decelerate the used solid rocket motor prior to deploying a cluster of three main parachutes. Due to the added weight of the extra segment on Ares I and the higher apogee reached by the Ares first stage, the main parachutes for the Ares recovery system were designed to be 20% larger than the one currently used on the shuttle boosters. The parachutes were designed and manufactured by USA at the Kennedy Space Center under a subcontract to ATK.

To date, ATK and its partners have successfully conducted three pilot, two drogue, three single main, and one main cluster parachute drop tests. Four additional parachute drop tests are planned over the next two years. Ares I-X will be the next test of the entire system, followed by further testing next spring.

[astrobrian]

Do we know if there are any additional pad area cameras for the launch? Also how many on board cameras will there be?

[ChrisGebhardt]

Also how many on board cameras will there be?

From what I've been told:  1 aft forward-pointing SRB camera, 1 forward aft-pointing SRB camera, 1 USS camera.

[rdale]

NASA's Marshall Center Completes Successful Ullage Motor Development Test for Ares I Rocket

With a loud roar and a bright flash, engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., successfully completed the first round of development testing for the ullage settling motor -- a critical element of the Ares I rocket. The Ares I is the first rocket under development for NASA's Constellation Program, a program tasked with the development of vehicles necessary to carry explorers on future journeys of exploration.

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/ullage_motor.html

[AlexInOklahoma]

and Ares I-X is defiantly no exception.
Orbiter

Is that "defiantly" a Freudian-slip or what?  I know its supposed to be 'definitely' most likely...right?       j / k

Alex

[ChrisGebhardt]

Also how many on board cameras will there be?

From what I've been told:  1 aft forward-pointing SRB camera, 1 forward aft-pointing SRB camera, 1 USS camera.

The clarify, the SRB cameras will function as they do for Shuttle (meaning the SRB will have to be recovered before we see the video. The USS camera is a live transmitting camera.

[renclod]

Thanks for the info, Chris G. !
Let's see if it corroborates with an old presentation I'm reading now:

From what I've been told: 
1 aft , forward-pointing SRB camera,

Same here; camera mounted on the aft segment, close to the field joint to the aft/center segment; pointing forward.

1 forward, aft-pointing SRB camera,

An older presentation has this camera mounted on the forward skirt, and pointing *forward*, not aft, so as to record " from the main separation event until splashdown to provide visual data for the events of FS recovery, supporting one of the Ares I-X objectives."

1 USS camera.

This one - the only live transmitting camera , like you clarify - is supposedly mounted on the frustum, meaning that it is pointing aft, showing the first stage full lenght.

I would like to know if this live camera will keep transmittiong for at least a few seconds after the main separation - considering that (specific to I-X) the frustum goes with the upper stage simulator. IOW if this camera has independent power supply and radio transmitter.

[AnalogMan]

Thanks for the info, Chris G. !
Let's see if it corroborates with an old presentation I'm reading now:

From what I've been told: 
1 aft , forward-pointing SRB camera,

Same here; camera mounted on the aft segment, close to the field joint to the aft/center segment; pointing forward.

1 forward, aft-pointing SRB camera,

An older presentation has this camera mounted on the forward skirt, and pointing *forward*, not aft, so as to record " from the main separation event until splashdown to provide visual data for the events of FS recovery, supporting one of the Ares I-X objectives."

1 USS camera.

This one - the only live transmitting camera , like you clarify - is supposedly mounted on the frustum, meaning that it is pointing aft, showing the first stage full lenght.

I would like to know if this live camera will keep transmittiong for at least a few seconds after the main separation - considering that (specific to I-X) the frustum goes with the upper stage simulator. IOW if this camera has independent power supply and radio transmitter.

On this snippet of an old I-X diagram (dated Sept 10, 08) there are four cameras shown, along with their orientations, which I've highlighted in green.  Of course, things may have changed since this was produced.

[jacqmans]

MEDIA ADVISORY: M09-196

NASA INVITES MEDIA TO VIEW HISTORIC ARES I-X MOVE TO LAUNCH PAD

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Reporters are invited to cover the historic
Ares I-X rocket move to Launch Pad 39B on Oct. 19 at NASA's Kennedy
Space Center in Florida.

The first flight test of NASA's Constellation Program, Ares I-X is
targeted to launch on Oct. 27.

First motion for Ares I-X out of Kennedy's Vehicle Assembly Building
to the launch pad is targeted for 12:01 a.m. EDT on Oct. 19. The
4.2-mile journey is expected to take approximately seven hours.
Activities include a first motion photo and interview opportunities
with Ares I-X managers. In addition, a sunrise photo opportunity will
be available at 7 a.m.

Live coverage with commentary on NASA Television will start at 11:45
p.m. Oct. 18 and again at 7 a.m. Oct. 19. Video highlights of the
move will air on NASA TV's Video File.

Reporters must arrive at Kennedy's news center by 10:30 p.m. Oct. 18
for transportation to the viewing area. For the sunrise event,
reporters must arrive by 6:30 a.m. Oct. 19.

International media accreditation for these events is closed. U.S.
reporters without permanent Kennedy credentials must apply for
accreditation online by 4 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, at:



https://media.ksc.nasa.gov


Badges will be available for pick up at the badging facility on State
Road 3 on Sunday, Oct. 18, from 8 to 10 p.m.

Updates with times for all events will be available by calling
321-867-2525.

All participants must be properly dressed in full-length pants, flat
shoes that entirely cover the feet, and shirts with sleeves.

For NASA TV downlink information, schedules and links to streaming
video, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/ntv


To receive Ares I-X updates via Twitter, go to:



http://www.twitter.com/NASA_Ares_I_X


For information about Ares I-X, visit:



http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX

[Downix]

Hmm, should I apply for accredation.... altho would be a stretch as it's my wife that is the published photographer.  I highly doubt anyone else would be bringing as... unique a piece of equipment as I would.  **pets his view camera**

[Chris Bergin]

Hmm, should I apply for accredation....

You have to be proven media.

[Downix]

Hmm, should I apply for accredation....

You have to be proven media.

That goes without saying, hence why it is "media access". 

[smith5se]

Via email... hopefully a few from this website will be able to go! http://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/event.aspx?id=e522ba20-6b66-435c-afbd-807849378950&ic_campID=4&ic_pkw=GH_Ares1X_Launch_Gen_October09

Sorry if this is the wrong spot.

[jacqmans]

STATUS REPORT: ARES-I-X-100909

ARES I-X STATUS REPORT

Launch Vehicle: Ares I-X
Launch Date: Oct. 27
Launch Pad: 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Fla.


Upcoming key milestones:
- Oct. 14 - Launch Pad 39B modifications media event at 2 p.m. EDT
- Oct. 19 - Rollout to Launch Pad 39B targeted for 12:01 a.m. EDT
- Oct. 21 - Satellite live shot campaign at Launch Pad 39B from 6-9
a.m. EDT
- Oct. 23 - L-4 Flight Test Readiness Review followed by a news
conference on NASA TV targeted for 5 p.m. EDT
- Oct. 24 - L-3 Launch Status briefing on NASA TV at 10 a.m. EDT
- Oct. 25 - L-2 Launch Status Briefing on NASA TV at 10 a.m. EDT
- Oct. 26 - Prelaunch News Conference on NASA TV at 1 p.m. EDT
- Oct. 27 (target) - Ares I-X flight test launch at 8 a.m. EDT

Ares I-X Flight Hardware
This week's milestones include:
- Launch Readiness Review was held at Kennedy
- At the conclusion of the review, KSC management determined that
there are no major launch processing or engineering issues, and the
team should proceed toward the scheduled rollout on October 19.
- Launch Vehicle Readiness Testing was successfully completed
- This test ran the vehicle through a series of simulated pre and post
launch events to ensure all systems operate properly before rolling
out to the launch pad
- Thermal Excursion testing
- This test determined the temperature sensitive avionics can operate
safely without purge for a 4-hour launch countdown window
- Launch Abort System and Crew Module simulator closeouts
- Upper Stage closeouts have begun
- Final Hydraulic System closeouts

Upcoming milestones: 
- Rollout

Ares I-X Ground Support Equipment
- At Launch Pad 39B, modifications are complete

The Ares I-X flight test will provide NASA an early opportunity to
check and prove hardware, analysis and modeling methods, and
facilities and ground operations needed to develop the NASA's next
crew launch vehicle.

For more information about the Ares I-X flight test, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/ares

[AlexInOklahoma]

News Release Issued: October 8, 2009 4:02 PM EDT

ATK and NASA Team Complete Another Successful Ares I Main Parachute Drop-Test

//snipped//
The test consisted of extracting a 72,000 pound test payload from a C-17 aircraft flying at 25,000 feet, tying the record for largest single payload pulled from a C-17.

Bold emphasis by me -> glad to see they corrected that from being "the largest/heaviest single load ever dropped" from announcement a few(?) weeks ago  Not a big deal - but gotta give AirLaunch credit where credit is due for *their* drop as well, IMO.    Congrats for a successful test drop, too!

Alex