Lunch Pad 39B
An artist's rendition of a an Ares I rocket at Launch Pad
39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The pad,
previously used for Apollo and shuttle launches, will be
modified to support future launches of Ares and Orion
spacecraft.
Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket that will
transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle to low Earth
orbit. Orion, which will eventually carry humans back to the
lunar surface, will accommodate as many as six astronauts.
Ares I's first stage will consist of a single reusable solid
propellant rocket booster similar to those used on the space
shuttle, with an additional fifth segment. The second, or
upper, stage will consist of a J-2X liquid oxygen- and
liquid hydrogen-fueled main engine and a new upper stage
fuel tank.
The Vehicle Assembly Building
An artist's rendition of Ares I being stacked in the
vehicle assembly building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in
Florida.
Lightening Protection
An artist's rendition of a new
lightning protection system that will be built at NASA's
Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39B. The launch pad will be
modified to support future launches of Ares and Orion
spacecraft.
NASA - Oct 2008
