NASA ARES 1 Rocket Cleared to Launch!

[RichC]

The NASA replacement for the Space Shuttle is about to lift off (if weather doesn't muck it up). A weather plane is about to evaluate the winds which are stopping the rocket from launching at the moment.

You can watch it live here: http://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/nasatv/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NASA are going back to using Rockets when the Orbiter (Shuttle) mothballs in 2010.

They have three Rockets to replace the Shuttles... One for the Astronauts only and ISS transport, one for Astronauts and payload and one for the new Lunar Landing module.

To get the jist on the size on these Rockets, take a look here compared to the Saturn V rockets which got us to the moon in the 60's..
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/c ... arison.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sadly, if these Rockets are successful, we won't be seeing the Shuttle in a year or two time...

This post is within guidelines of FC. NASA is a Government Agency and the Rockets, eventually, having military crew onboard and piloting/commanding (as the Shuttle does in every launch amongst civilians).

[Gary]

Scrubbed for the day due to weather

[MarkG]

The Shuttle has done well over the past 30 years or so,, even so, I cant wait to see one of these Rockets launch, good one.!!

Cheers for posting this.

[Ben Montgomery]

HEADS UP - approx ten minutes from launch!

[Ben Montgomery]

Cleared to launch

[Ben Montgomery]

That was quite cool!