NASA Sets Briefing to Discuss Ares I-X Launch Data

NASA will host a media teleconference with Bob Ess, Ares I-X mission manager, at 1 p.m. CST on Thursday, Dec. 3. Ess will provide reporters with an update on data gathered during the test flight of the rocket, which took place Oct. 28 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The test flight lasted approximately six minutes, from launch until splashdown of the rocket's booster stage in the Atlantic Ocean nearly 150 miles away. The Ares I-X was wired with more than 700 sensors that gathered data during its flight. The launch gave NASA an opportunity to prove hardware, facilities and ground operations of the test rocket while providing engineers with critical data for future launch vehicles.

Reporters who want to participate in the teleconference should contact Lynnette Madison at 281-483-5111 or lynnette.b.madison@nasa.gov by 4:30 p.m., Dec. 2, for dial-in information.

Audio from the teleconference will be streamed on NASA's Web site at:

http://www.nasa.gov/newsaudio

For more information about the Ares I-X rocket, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/aresIX

For more information about the Constellation Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/constellation