KSC-2009-5349

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The United States flag, along with program and NASA decals, stretch the length of the Ares I-X upper stage. Stacking of the vehicle is complete in the Vehicle Assembly Building's High Bay 3 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Part of the Constellation Program, the Ares I-X is the test vehicle for the Ares I, which is the essential core of a space transportation system designed to carry crewed missions back to the moon, on to Mars and out into the solar system. The Ares I-X flight test is targeted for Oct. 27. For information on the Ares I-X vehicle and flight test, visit http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/flighttests/aresIx/index.html. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann