Ares I First Stage Motor Unveiled

177644-02 -- 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.

Image credit: ATK