CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft assembly nears the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is being moved to the VAB for stacking to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle. The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft assembly moves toward the door of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Inside, it will be stacked with other segments to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle. The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft assembly is being moved to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. There it will be stacked with other segments to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle. The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft assembly moves inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It will be stacked with other segments to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle.The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lifted across the VAB transfer aisle. The stack will be hoisted into the upper regions of the VAB and lowered onto the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft assembly is moved out of the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is going to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle. The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft assembly moves away from the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is going to the Vehicle Assembly Building for stacking to complete the Ares I-X test vehicle. The aft assembly will be the first segment to be stacked on the mobile launch platform in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lifted into the upper regions of the VAB. The stack will be lowered onto the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lifted from its stand. The stack will be hoisted into the upper regions of the VAB and lowered onto the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are fitted with a crane to lift it to the fifth segment simulator for mating, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are moved across the bay. They will be stacked and mated to the fifth segment simulator, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are lifted from the stand. The segments are being moved for stacking and mating to the fifth segment simulator, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are lowered onto the fifth simulator segment for mating, to complete Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are mated to the fifth simulator segment, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage are lowered toward the fifth simulator segment for mating, to complete Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the segments of the Ares I-X first stage are fitted with a crane to lift it to the fifth segment simulator for mating, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, segments of the Ares I-X first stage move past other stacks toward the fifth simulator segment stack at right. The two stacks will be mated, completing Super Stack 1. The super stack comprises the forward skirt, forward skirt extension, interstages 1 and 2 and the fifth segment simulator. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– The fifth segment simulator segments of the Ares I-X rocket have been moved to the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The stacking operations with other segments in the VAB in June. Ares I-X is the flight test for the Ares I. The I-X flight will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for August 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –– The fifth segment simulator segments of the Ares I-X rocket have been moved to the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The stacking operations with other segments in the VAB in June. Ares I-X is the flight test for the Ares I. The I-X flight will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for August 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward assembly comprising the frustum, forward skirt extension and forward skirt moves into the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building. The assembly will be placed in the VAB's High Bay 4 where it will undergo processing and stacking to the upper stage. Ares I-X is the flight test for the Ares I which will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for August 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward assembly comprising the frustum, forward skirt extension and forward skirt heads for the Vehicle Assembly Building, in the background. In the VAB's High Bay 4, the forward assembly will undergo processing and stacking to the upper stage. Ares I-X is the flight test for the Ares I which will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for August 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward assembly comprising the frustum, forward skirt extension and forward skirt , at left, moves toward the Vehicle Assembly Building, in the background. In the VAB's High Bay 4, the forward assembly will undergo processing and stacking to the upper stage. Ares I-X is the flight test for the Ares I which will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for August 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft center booster segment arrives in the transfer aisle of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ares I-X launch vehicle segments are being stacked in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft center booster segment rolls toward the open door of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ares I-X launch vehicle segments are being stacked in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft center booster segment is transported from the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ares I-X launch vehicle segments are being stacked in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The Ares I-X aft center booster segment rolls toward the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Ares I-X launch vehicle segments are being stacked in the VAB. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Launch is targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30 from Launch Pad 39B. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered onto the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered toward the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered into High Bay 3. It will be placed on the mobile launch platform. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers keep watch as the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered toward the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is moved to High Bay 1 where it will be lowered onto the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers keep watch as the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered toward the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X aft booster segment with the aft skirt is lowered toward the mobile launch platform in High Bay 3. This is the start of the buildup of the Ares I-X launch vehicle for the flight test targeted for no earlier than Aug. 30. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the extended duration orbiter lab, or EDO, of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers remove the cover from the fifth segment simulator center. It will be prepared for stacking with other segments in the VAB. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Ares I is the essential core of a safe, reliable, cost-effective space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Ares I-X is targeted for launch in July 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the extended duration orbiter lab, or EDO, of the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, workers remove the final plastic cover from the fifth segment simulator center. It will be prepared for stacking with other segments in the VAB. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Ares I is the essential core of a safe, reliable, cost-effective space transportation system that eventually will carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. Ares I-X is targeted for launch in July 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Troy Cryder

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Ares I-X forward assembly (comprising the frustum, forward skirt extension and forward skirt) moves alongside the NASA Railroad tracks as it heads for the Vehicle Assembly Building, in the background. In the VAB's High Bay 4, the forward assembly will undergo processing and stacking to the upper stage. Ares I-X is the flight test for the Ares I which will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Launch of the Ares I-X flight test is targeted for August 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – At NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the mobile launcher platform that was turned over from the shuttle program to the Constellation Program last month moves along the crawlerway via the crawler-transporter underneath. In the background is the Vehicle Assembly Building. The platform will be rolled into the VAB's High Bay 3 in preparation for the Ares I-X flight test this summer. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Ground Control System hardware was installed in MLP-1 in December 2008. The platform was moved to the launch pad to check out the installed hardware with the Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 equipment, using the actual circuits that will be used when the fully stacked Ares I-X vehicle is rolled out later this year for launch. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A worker is dwarfed by the giant crawler-transporter and mobile launcher platform moving along the crawlerway toward the Vehicle Assembly Building. The platform will be rolled into the VAB's High Bay 3 in preparation for the Ares I-X flight test this summer. Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is part of the Constellation Program to return men to the moon and beyond. Ground Control System hardware was installed in MLP-1 in December 2008. The platform was moved to the launch pad to check out the installed hardware with the Launch Control Center Firing Room 1 equipment, using the actual circuits that will be used when the fully stacked Ares I-X vehicle is rolled out later this year for launch. Photo credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett