NASA and ATK Successfully Test Ares First Stage Motor

On Sept. 10, 2009, NASA and industry engineers lit up the Utah sky with the initial full-scale, full-duration test firing of the first stage motor for the Ares I rocket. The Ares I is a crew launch vehicle in development for NASA's Constellation Program.

ATK Space Systems conducted the successful stationary firing of the five-segment solid development motor 1, or DM-1. ATK Space Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems of Brigham City, Utah, is the prime contractor for the Ares I first stage. Engineers will use the measurements gathered from the test to evaluate thrust, roll control, acoustics and motor vibrations. This data will provide valuable information as NASA develops the Ares I and Ares V vehicles. Another ground test is planned for summer 2010.

NASA and ATK engineers successfully conducted the first stationary firing of the Ares I rocket's first-stage, five-segment, development motor, or DM-1 on Sept. 10. DM-1 is managed by the Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The stationary test firing was conducted by ATK Space Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems of Brigham City, Utah, the prime contractor for the Ares I first stage.