Ares 1-X rocket is the part of the NASA’s landmark program Constellation. Constellation program marks the NASA’s back to moon crewed flight efforts after some 30 years. Ares 1-X is the prototype of the rocket that would carry the capsule containing astronauts to moon. The capsule itself is called Orion. NASA has planned a crewed flight in 2015. In order for the mission to be successful, it is of utmost importance that Ares 1 X performs well as the Orion would be mounted on the rocket.
The launch was planned on 8 a.m. EDT today but has been postponed because of the weather conditions. NASA scientists and meteorologists are observing the weather pattern to announce the exact launch schedule.
Ares 1 X is also important as Obama Administration is under extreme pressure to scrap the Constellation Program altogether among the economic worries. However it would be a great disappointment for NASA scientists if the program is scrapped as they are researching and working on the program since long.
Even the launch of Ares 1 X is the topic of discussion with opponents of the program, favoring cheaper commercial rockets.
NASA on the other hand has maintained that even if the Constellation program would not be viable the launch would give them the crucial data needed to launch any rocket not just Ares 1-X. The launch itself has been delayed as the clouds would have obstructed the data collection by the NASA scientists. The launch has also been delayed because a ship was in the area where the rocket’s spare part would have fallen.
Ares 1 X
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