KSC-2009-2231

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. –The cars on the NASA Railroad are separated for different destinations at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They carry Ares I-X segments. One of the cars is going to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility. The four reusable motor segments and the nozzle exit cone, manufactured by the Ares I first-stage prime contractor Alliant Techsystems Inc., or ATK, departed Utah March 12 on the seven-day, cross-country trip to Florida. The segments will be delivered to Kennedy's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for final processing and integration. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The motor is the final hardware needed for the rocket's upcoming test flight this summer. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller