NASA and Alliant Techsystems Inc. (ATK) have scheduled the static test firing of the new first-stage solid rocket motor for the Ares I rocket today in Utah. Shaan Hurley, Autodesk blogger, is there.
The Ares rockets will replace the shuttle for future interplanetary and moon shots and is basically a modern version of the ultra-reliable Saturn V. The Ares I has two stages. The first is a five-segment solid fuel rocket booser, derived from the shuttle’s rocket booster. The second stage uses a liquid fuel (oxygen/hydrogen) J-2X engine which is a modern version of the J-2 engine that was used on the Saturn V second stage. (Image NASA)
The firing will be shown live on NASA TV at 3 pm ET.

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