Upper Stage
August 21, 2009
Taking the Ares I on the second phase of its journey from Earth will be the spacecraft's upper stage, powered by the J-2X engine. A self-supporting cylindrical structure, the Ares I upper stage will be approximately 18 feet in diameter and 84 feet long. On the launch pad, the upper stage -- including the J-2X engine -- will account for approximately one-quarter of the total height of the Ares I.
Topics:
Ares I, Project Constellation, Human spaceflight, J-2, Ares, Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle, Ares V, Constellation program
