NASA Postpones Ares 1-X Rocket Launch (Photos)

Posted on October 27, 2009

NASA has decided to postpone the launch of the Ares rocket launch due to a series of issues. Read more on the NASA rocket launch delay below.

NASA will hold off on the Ares rocket launch by 24 hours.

Clouds and a cargo ship in the area have led to the delays in the launch of the Ares 1-X rocket. The Ares 1-X is a trial version of the rocket NASA wants to take astronauts to low-Earth orbit on an Orion craft.

The main reasons for delaying the rocket’s launch were the severe winds, with gusts over 20 knots and peaking at 22 knots.

Another reason for the delay is triboelectrification. Just what is triboelectrification?Â It seems high-level clouds can generate â€œP-staticâ€ (P for precipitation), which can create a corona of static around the rocket that interferes with radio signals sent by or to the rocket. This would cause problems when the rocket tried to send data to the ground.

The weather tomorrow should be better to launch the rocket as it’s expected to be less cloudy and lower winds.

The test rocket has a real solid-rocket first stage, with a fake second stage and dummy Orion crew capsule on top to simulate the intended weight and size of Ares I. Ares I-X is the tallest booster in service or about to fly and stands about 327 feet high.

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