NASA's first Ares I crew launch vehicle (CLV) five-segment solid rocket motor (SRM) firing test has been delayed by up to six-months from 2 April to September at the latest or August
Ares I uses an SRM for its first stage and its prime contractor Alliant Techsystems (ATK), which provides the Space Shuttle Programme's four-segment motor, won the development contract in 2007
Asked why there was a possible six month delay ATK says: "[We] need to be sure the first test is right and there is no critical path impact," meaning the CLV's development will not be set back by the delay
ATK had planned to test after DM-1 its demonstration motors DM-2 and 3 in August and September, which are now likely to be delayed toward the end of the year if not to 2010
Ares I uses an SRM for its first stage and its prime contractor Alliant Techsystems (ATK), which provides the Space Shuttle Programme's four-segment motor, won the development contract in 2007
Asked why there was a possible six month delay ATK says: "[We] need to be sure the first test is right and there is no critical path impact," meaning the CLV's development will not be set back by the delay
ATK had planned to test after DM-1 its demonstration motors DM-2 and 3 in August and September, which are now likely to be delayed toward the end of the year if not to 2010
on March 26, 2009 2:04 PM | Reply
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probably... they are not sure the SRB5 will release the expected/necessary power in the test... as explained in this article:
http://www.ghostnasa.com/posts/012arescantfly.html
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on March 26, 2009 7:39 PM | Reply
Personally, I thought they were delaying because the current Administration may not go with the stick so why waste the money.
on March 27, 2009 1:09 PM | Reply
It's the policy to waste money and stick with the stick because the thing apparently has all the credit it needs. In the meantime further delays are in the making. How far will it go before someone has the audacity to loudly propose to go for the liquid rocket option?