It seems that NASA has decided to drop an upper-stage test of its Ares I rocket. There isn't enough money in the kitty to pay for the test stage and a new production stage. The decision was made to instead study the benefits of a live Stage I-Y test, which would fly on the Ares I-X Prime test flight.
This is a Bad Thing, because testing is always useful. Every additional data point increases our understanding of a system and the way it interacts with its environment. It's a shame that NASA lacks the funding to get another J-2X motor within a reasonable timescale. Perhaps they could hold a bake sale (just kidding).
I wonder if this missed test will impact the safety of the Ares vehicle. The Saturn never failed, but we also threw money at it like crazy. Given the cost of the entire Ares program and its precarious position on the Congressional chopping block, I'll be surprised if the Ares I-X Prime test is even carried out.
This is a Bad Thing, because testing is always useful. Every additional data point increases our understanding of a system and the way it interacts with its environment. It's a shame that NASA lacks the funding to get another J-2X motor within a reasonable timescale. Perhaps they could hold a bake sale (just kidding).
I wonder if this missed test will impact the safety of the Ares vehicle. The Saturn never failed, but we also threw money at it like crazy. Given the cost of the entire Ares program and its precarious position on the Congressional chopping block, I'll be surprised if the Ares I-X Prime test is even carried out.
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