And We Have Lift-Off

Image credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann

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This morning at 11:30 AM EDT, the Ares I-X rocket was launched successfully from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission was scrubbed earlier this week and launch time today was reset multiple times due to weather.

Today’s mission was a short one. After a successful two minute burn and then separation, systems were shut down and the Ares rocket began it’s descent towards the Atlantic ocean. Today’s test flight was an amazing thing to witness. It was almost bitter-sweet. The sweet part is this is the first of many flight tests making the world one step closer to expanding the way we explore space and putting us back on the moon. The bitter part is it is one step closer to the shuttle program being retired next year. Growing up in the age of the shuttle gives it a special place in my heart, much like those who grew up as the Apollo spacecraft were doing their thing and it was the end of their era. I hope that my children feel the same when the Ares era comes to an end.

If you missed the launch this morning, you can watch it here.

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Tags: Geek, NASA, Science, Technology