NASA creates Web site for Ares test flight

WASHINGTON, July 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has created a Web site dedicated to the development of the Ares rocket and the Orion crew capsule.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is developing the spacecraft to take astronauts to the International Space Station and send them on their way to the moon. The first flight of the test spacecraft known as Ares I-X is scheduled next spring.

"The Web site was created to offer key information about the details and objectives of the Ares I-X test flight," NASA said in a statement. "The site features articles, images and videos that outline the objectives of the Ares I-X test flight and explain how these objectives will influence the design and flight of the Ares I rocket and Orion crew capsule."

NASA said the Ares I-X flight will test hardware and ground operations associated with the Ares I rocket, while also providing critical data during ascent of the integrated Orion crew exploration vehicle and the Ares I launch vehicle stack -- data to be used to design a vehicle system that's safe and fully operational before astronauts begin traveling into orbit.

The new Web site is available at: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/constellation/ares/flighttests/aresIx/index.html