Ares I Contract

NASA extended a previous contract action with ATK Thiokol of Brigham City, Utah, to continue design and development of the first stage for the Ares I crew launch vehicle.

The extension has a maximum value of $35 million.

Ares I is the crew launch vehicle that will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle, its crew or other small cargo payloads to low-Earth orbit.

The first stage will consist of a single solid rocket booster similar to those used on the space shuttle, but with a fifth motor segment added. The upper stage will consist of a J-2X liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen engine and the associated propellant tanks and main propulsion system.

The contract maintains the design, development, test and evaluation schedule; expedites the procurement of new nozzle metal hardware and production tooling for propellant casting and nozzle fabrication; and maintains design and engineering analysis leading to a Systems Requirements Review in December.