NASA Extends Ares I Development Contract

Jan. 5, 2007

Michael Braukus/Beth Dickey
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1979/2087

Kim Newton
Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala.
256-544-0034

CONTRACT RELEASE: C07-002

NASA EXTENDS ARES I DEVELOPMENT CONTRACT

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. - NASA has authorized a contract action having a
value of $48 million with ATK Thiokol of Brigham City, Utah, to
continue design and development of the first stage for the Ares I
crew launch vehicle.

Ares I will transport the Orion crew exploration vehicle and its crew
of up to six astronauts, or other small cargo payloads, to low-Earth
orbit. The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid rocket
booster and motor similar to those used on the space shuttle, but
with a fifth motor segment added. The upper stage will consist of a
J-2X liquid hydrogen, liquid oxygen engine and the associated
propellant tanks and fuel distribution systems.

This Ares I first stage contract action will increase a first stage
task under an existing shuttle contract by $48 million for a total
work effort valued at $111 million. These activities are a
preparatory effort leading up to the Ares I first stage prime
contract, which will be awarded in the February 2007 timeframe.

The contract action maintains the design, development, test and
evaluation schedule; expedites the procurement of new nozzle metal
hardware and production tooling for propellant casting and nozzle
fabrication; maintains the necessary design and engineering analysis;
and continues participation in pilot parachute development tests. The
action also provides support for an initial test flight in the spring
of 2009 known as Ares I-1 and provides support for Ares I-1 in
preparation for Preliminary Design Review. The test flight will use a
simulated fifth segment on the first stage and a simulated upper
stage.

For more information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/constellation

-end-

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