NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

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. (Credit: ATK)
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The Ares I rocket's first-stage development motor, or DM-1, completed its first successful test firing Sept. 10. The flame exits the motor at Mach 3 and the test firing lasted for 122 seconds. 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. (Credit: ATK)
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The motor will provide the backbone for the Ares I, generating up to 3.6 million pounds of thrust, or lifting power, at launch. 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. (Credit: NASA, Walt Lindblom)
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The 154-foot solid rocket motor produced heat two-thirds the temperature of the sun and its 12-foot-diameter cylinder delivered 3.6 million pounds of thrust. 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. (Credit: NASA, Walt Lindblom)
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Data collected during the test from 650 data channels will be used to evaluate the motor's performance. This test and those that follow will provide engineers with valuable information as they develop the safest and most reliable motor possible for NASA's next generation rocket. 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. (Credit: ATK)
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NASA's Ares I first-stage motor sits on ATK Space System's test stand in Promontory, Utah, awaiting its test firing, set for Aug. 27. The 154-foot solid rocket motor will produce heat two-thirds the temperature of the sun and its 12-foot-diameter cylinder will deliver 3.6 million pounds of thrust. The Ares I first-stage development motor, or DM-1, is managed by the Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. ATK Space Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems of Brigham City, Utah, is the prime contractor for the Ares I first stage. (Credit: ATK)
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Glistening white in the Utah night, the first-stage development motor, or DM-1, for NASA’s Ares I rocket sits ready for its first test firing, set for Aug. 27. The stationary firing of the five-segment solid rocket motor will be conducted by ATK Space Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems of Brigham City, Utah, the prime contractor for the Ares I first stage. The motor will provide the backbone for the Ares I, generating up to 3.6 million pounds of thrust, or lifting power, at launch. DM-1 is managed by the Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. (Credit: ATK)
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All systems are go for the first test of the Ares I rocket's first-stage development motor, or DM-1, set for Aug. 27. The five-segment solid rocket motor is capable of producing 22 million horsepower, equivalent to the energy produced by 25,882 race cars. Data will be collected during the test from 650 sensors to evaluate the motor's performance. This test and those that follow will provide engineers with valuable information as they develop the safest and most reliable motor possible for NASA's next generation rocket. DM-1 is managed by the Ares Projects at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala. The stationary test firing will be conducted by ATK Space Systems, a division of Alliant Techsystems of Brigham City, Utah, the prime contractor for the Ares I first stage. (Credit: ATK)
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Full lateral view of the Ares I first stage five-segment development motor in its test stand at ATK in Promontory, Utah. (Credit: ATK)
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On July 20, NASA and ATK employees, guests and media gathered to watch the movable building, which houses the solid rocket motor, roll back and reveal the assembled test article. (Credit: ATK)
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The Ares I first stage development motor includes a movable nozzle with a larger throat diameter and exit cone designed to improve overall performance. (Credit: ATK)
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Alternate view of the 154-foot long development motor. (Credit: ATK)
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