Ares I-X
Ares I-X was the first-stage prototype and design concept demonstrator of Ares I, a launch system for human spaceflight developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Ares I-X was successfully launched on October 28, 2009. The project cost was $445 million. It was the final launch from LC-39B until Artemis 1 13 years later.
Ares I-X before launch | |
| Ares I-X launch | |
|---|---|
| Launch | October 28, 2009, 15:30 UTC |
| Operator | NASA |
| Pad | Kennedy LC-39B |
| Outcome | Success |
| Apogee | c. 28 miles (45 km) |
| Launch duration | 6 minutes |
| Components | |
| First stage | 4-segment SRB with a fifth segment mass simulator |
| Second stage | Upper stage simulator (USS) |
| Ares I-X insignia | |
The Ares I-X vehicle used in the test flight was similar in shape, mass, and size to the planned configuration of later Ares I vehicles, but had largely dissimilar internal hardware consisting of only one powered stage. Ares I vehicles were intended to launch Orion crew exploration vehicles. Along with the Ares V launch system and the Altair lunar lander, Ares I and Orion were part of NASA's Constellation program, which was developing spacecraft for U.S. human spaceflight after the Space Shuttle retirement.