Ares I-X Flight Test Launches

Video Credits: NASA
Ares I-X was the first-stage prototype and design concept demonstrator of Ares I, a launch system for human spaceflight developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Ares I-X was successfully launched on October 28, 2009.The project cost was $445 million.
The Ares I-X vehicle used in the test flight was similar in shape, mass, and size to the planned configuration of later Ares I vehicles, but had largely dissimilar internal hardware consisting of only one powered stage. Ares I vehicles were intended to launch Orion crew exploration vehicles. Along with the Ares V launch system and the Altair lunar lander, Ares I and Orion were part of NASA's Constellation program, which was developing spacecraft for U.S. human spaceflight after the Space Shuttle retirement.

Launch: October 28, 2009, 15:30 UTC
Operator: NASA
Pad: Kennedy LC-39B
Outcome: Success
Apogee: c. 28 miles (45 km)
Launch 2 minutes
duration