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NASA Clears New Ares I-x Rocket For Tuesday Launch Test
By Clara Moskowitz
Staff Writer
posted: 23 October 2009
05:32 pm ET
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A prototype version of NASA's newest rocket is ready for its planned Tuesday launch, mission managers said today.
NASA is set to test the design of its next-generation rocket, Ares I, during a demonstration liftoff called Ares I-X. The launch, slated for 8 a.m. EDT (1200 GMT) on Oct. 27 from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center here, will be a suborbital flight of the new rocket's first stage, with a dummy second stage and mock crew capsule on top.
NASA officially gave the go-ahead for Tuesday's launch after a Flight Test Readiness Review meeting among mission managers.
"The team is ready to go fly," said Bob Ess, Ares I-X mission manager, at a briefing following the meeting. "The vehicle is actually ready to go fly."
READ MORE: Space.com
