Rocket Glass Exclusive Collectable - Ares 1 DM3 Rocket Test 2009 - ATK Aerospace
'Rocket Glass' Exclusive Collectable Piece
Created by Booster Rocket during Ares 1 DM3 Test | Released by ATK Aerospace Systems | 2009 | Encased in Lucite |
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION-
This amazingly cool and never before available piece of space history is a shard of the glass created during the first rocket burn tests for the Ares I-X first stage launch system. The sands at the test site were heated to such an EXTREME heat during the booster ignition and burning, that the sands were LITERALLY TURNED INTO GLASS BY THE HEAT!
After the tests, the raw glass pieces were gathered up, and the glass in encased in Lucite, for protection against wear, and to provide a viewing of the glass pieces. The encased glass pieces have been given only to various members of NASA executives, special visitors and political figures, ATK team members, and current and former Astronauts, as extremely rare and unusual gifts for the honored recipient.
Due to a special relationship between ATK Aerospace, the developers and manufacturers of the NASA Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters for over 40 years, and SPACE.com, we have secured a limited number of these never before available and very rare pieces of lucite encased 'rocket glass'.
We are offering them initially only to our most valued SPACE.com fans and customers, for a special price, and for a limited time. These will never be available again, and there are only a limited number. Available only while quantities last, and ONLY ON SPACE.COM STORE.
Get this rare and very cool piece of history before its gone!
PRODUCT DETAILS-
-WHAT: 'Rocket Glass' Exclusive Collectable Piece - Created by Ares 1 DM3 Rocket Test - Released by ATK Aerospace Systems
-WHO: ATK Aerospace Systems, NASA
-WHERE: Promontory Point Test Facility, UT
-WHEN: March 2009
-VALUE (est.): Unknown
-CURRENT PRICE: $49.95
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION-
Ares I-X Booster Rocket-
Ares I-X was the first stage prototype and design concept demonstrator in the Ares I program, a launch system for human spaceflight developed by the United States space agency, 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 the spacecraft for U.S. human spaceflight after the Space Shuttle fleet was retired.
The four-segment solid rocket motor and aft skirt for Ares I-X was drawn directly from the Space Shuttle inventory. The motor was manufactured by ATK Launch Services of Promontory, Utah. The new forward structures were manufactured by Major Tool & Machine of Indianapolis, Indiana. The first stage element was managed by Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
Flight test-
October 28, 2009 (Launch)
Ares I-X launched on October 28, 2009 at 11:30 EDT (15:30 UTC) from Kennedy Space Center LC-39B, successfully completing a brief test flight. The vehicle's first stage ignited at T-0 seconds and Ares I-X lifted off from Launch Complex 39B. The first stage separated from the upper stage simulator and parachuted into the Atlantic Ocean roughly 150 miles (240 km) downrange of the launch site. The maximum altitude of the rocket was not immediately known, but had been expected to be 28 miles (45 km). The launch accomplished all primary test objectives, and many lessons were learned in preparing and launching a new vehicle from Kennedy Space Center.
Test Launch Commemorative payload-
Three shoebox-size packages were affixed inside the fifth segment simulator of the first stage to carry:
Three DVDs with 60-second home videos recorded by the public and submitted through NASA's website.
3,500 flags to be distributed to Ares I-X team members.
Mission statistics-
Mission name: Ares I-X
Launch pad: Kennedy LC-39B
Launch date: October 28, 2009, time 11:30 EDT (15:30 UTC)
Landing Upper stage: TBA, October 28, 2009
Lower stage: TBA, October 28, 2009
Mission duration: ~6 minutes until splashdown. 2 minute powered flight
Apogee: ~150,000 feet (46 km)
Burnout: ~130,000 feet (40 km)
Distance traveled Downrange: ~150 miles (~240 km)
Maximum velocity: ~5,831 kilometers per hour (3,623 mph) (Mach 4.76)
Peak acceleration: ~3 g
Wikipedia Article on Ares I-X: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ares_I-X
