(AP) -- By day, the engineers work on NASA's new Ares moon rockets. By night, some go undercover to work on a competing design. These dissenting scientists and their backers insist they have created an alternative rocket that would be safer, cheaper and easier to build than the two Ares spacecraft that will replace the space shuttle.
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Building a New Rocket for the Nation
The Ares I rocket, America's next flagship in space, is now in development by NASA and its industry partners, and soon will carry human explorers and new missions of discovery to the moon and beyond. And thousands of American workers in 32 states and Puerto Rico are helping make it happen.
NASA Conducts First Test On New Motor For The Ares I Rocket
(PhysOrg.com) -- Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., have completed first-round testing of a critical motor for NASA's new Ares I rocket. The Ares I is a two-stage rocket that will launch astronauts aboard the Orion crew capsule on missions to the International Space Station and to the moon by 2020.
NASA stresses importance of Russian spacecraft to keep space station functioning
Even before NASA finishes its study into the possibility of flying the space shuttle beyond its scheduled retirement in 2010, top agency officials have concluded that extending the life of the orbiter fleet won't solve the problem of keeping the International Space Station operable for U.S. astronauts.
NASA's Ares I Rocket Passes Review, Takes Giant Leap Toward Reality
NASA has taken a major step toward building the nation's next generation launch vehicle with Wednesday's successful completion of the Ares I rocket preliminary design review.
NASA chief may consider extending life of shuttle program
NASA Administrator Mike Griffin said Thursday that he's examining what it would take to keep the space shuttle flying for five years past its 2010 retirement date.
NASA Engineers Complete Engine Test Series For Ares I Rocket
(PhysOrg.com) -- Engineers at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Ala., have completed a series of tests on a key component of the J-2X engine. The J-2X powers the upper stage of the Ares I rocket, which will launch human explorers to the International Space Station and to the moon.
NASA Successfully Tests Parachute for Ares Rocket
(PhysOrg.com) -- NASA and industry engineers have successfully completed the first drop test of a drogue parachute for the Ares I rocket. The drogue parachute is designed to slow the rapid descent of the spent first-stage motor, cast off by the Ares I rocket during its climb to space.
NASA sets date for final shuttle mission in 2010
Following a detailed, integrated assessment, NASA selected target launch dates for the remaining eight space shuttle missions on the current manifest in 2009 and 2010.
