October 26, 2009
Posted by:
Nick Gattozzi
Well, we’re en route to Florida’s Space Coast for the launch (we hope) of the next generation of space vehicle – the Ares I-X. With any launch, weather is a factor and this launch, even with it being a test launch (hence the ‘X’ moniker) it still holds true. As discussed in today’s Plain Dealer, there’s a front coming out of the south that may impact our Tuesday morning launch window. The odds are not in our favor. We could also go on Wednesday, when the odds are a bit better.
While flying down on our Continental 737 (w/ in-flight Direct TV for only $6.00, payable by a quick swipe of your credit or debit card; Carol watched NASA’s morning press conference.), I heard a NASA engineer sitting behind me talking about this flight. Needless to say he’s very excited, not only for the flight, but for the incredible team effort by Cleveland’s NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC) and the area’s manufacturing community which supported the effort. As written in last week’s Plain Dealer, a combination of civil service and contract employees at GRC, have combined to create the upper stage simulator, which sits atop of what my engineer co-traveler described as a giant Roman candle. I don’t think that’s the ‘official’ description of the Ares I-X, but I’m hoping that come tomorrow morning at 8:00am, they ‘light that candle’ and continue on a path that insures our Nation’s preeminence in space travel and exploration.
Nick
Category:
Advocacy
Tags:
ares I-X,
cleveland,
glenn research center,
nasa,
rocket,
space