Ares 1-X Ready On Pad, Launch Set For 1200 GMT

DynaSoar writes "NASA's new Ares I-X rocket is undergoing final preparations for its planned launch test Tuesday, October 27. Launch time is scheduled for 8 AM EDT (1200 GMT). As of noon Monday it appeared that there was a 60% chance of showers and/or high altitude clouds interfering. However, the launch has a an eight hour window of opportunity through 2000 GMT, and would require only 10 minutes of clear skies within that time to fly. Of interest to engineering types, both those who favor the new vehicle's design and its critics, will be to see whether the predicted linear 'pogo stick' oscillation will occur, and whether the dampening design built into it prevents damaging and possibly destructive shaking. Extensive coverage is being presented by Space.com; for NASA TV streaming video, schedules and downlink information, visit nasa.gov/ntv." Update 15:37 GMT by timothy: The weather did not cooperate; today's planned launch has been scrubbed.

Comments

Vibrations

[hyperion2010]

As long as they are good....

Query: are rockets spaceships and if so are they female like normal ships? They've always seemed a bit to... phallic and gaseous to be female.

Re:Vibrations

[BadAnalogyGuy]

Not necessarily. Take Uranus. Please!

Re:Vibrations

[xyph0r]

Yarrr she be a harsh mistress...
So yes. Yes it is.

Re:Vibrations

[Thanshin]

Not necessarily. Take Uranus. Please!

Why, do you intend to penetrate Uranus with a rocket?

Re:Vibrations

[JustOK]

Tables say: Did you sanitize your input?

Re:Vibrations

[Hognoxious]

To wipe out the Klingons.

Re:Vibrations

[burisch_research]

From Futurama: Fry: Did you build the Smelloscope? Professor Hubert Farnsworth: No, I remembered that Id built one last year. Go ahead, try it. Youll find that every heavenly body has its own particular scent. Here, Ill point it at Jupiter. Fry: Smells like strawberries. Professor Hubert Farnsworth: Exactly. And now, Saturn. Fry: Pine needles. Oh, man, this is great... hey, as long as you dont make me smell Uranus. Leela: I dont get it. Professor Hubert Farnsworth: Im sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all. Fry: Oh. Whats it called now? Professor Hubert Farnsworth: Urrectum. Here, let me locate it for you. Fry: No, no, I, I think Ill just smell around a bit over here.

Re:I'm a rocket, man!

[MrMr]

I'm combining your
10 trillion of printed from nothing US $dollars
with
who just transfer the trillions to Europe
And I have to wonder: Don't those two issues cancel out?

Re:More NasaTV Feeds and launch data

[cpscotti]

Fun thing is... these links broadcasting show the following string on the bottom on "Windows Media Player": "NASA Space Shuttle Launch"

Re:Awesome

[lul_wat]

Fox News is now slashdots #1 news source? :(

Re:I'm a rocket, man!

[zach_the_lizard]

Didn't work when the Russians had Salute's 5, 6, 7 and Mir or were you asleep during the last 50 years?

I haven't been alive for 50 years, you insensitive clod!

Re:Awesome

[Enry]

I'd like to discuss this more, but we're out of time, so we'll have to leave it there.

Re:Solid Rocket Vibrations Are Not Pogo

[evanbd]

Never hearing the term before, it very succinctly communicates the situation. I must say the mental image is also quite pleasant. Well done! ~the chemical engineering student who uses numerical methods to solve large problems

I suspect that the term "blow up" would be just as apt, though a little less British in the degree of understatement.

Rocket engineers are fond of that form of understatement. I've also heard "unscheduled disassembly", and I'm particularly fond of "turbine-rich exhaust".