NASA tests Ares rocket parachute

YUMA, Ariz., March 3 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency says it has successfully completed the second drop test of a drogue parachute designed for use by the Ares I rocket.

The Ares I is the first launch vehicle in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Constellation Program that will send explorers to the International Space Station, the moon and beyond in coming decades.

"The drogue parachute is a vital element of the rocket's deceleration system; it is designed to slow the rapid descent of the spent first-stage motor that will be jettisoned by the Ares I during its climb to space," NASA said. "The parachute will permit recovery of the reusable first-stage motor for use on future Ares I flights."

The first-stage solid rocket motor will power the Ares I rocket for the first 2 minutes of the launch procedure.

The test, conducted at the U.S. Army's Yuma Proving Ground near Yuma, Ariz., was the seventh in a series of flight tests supporting development of the Ares I parachute recovery system, which includes a pilot chute, drogue and three main parachutes.

NASA said the 68-foot-diameter drogue parachute and its 50,000-pound load simulating the rocket's spent first-stage motor was dropped from an aircraft flying at 25,000 feet. Officials said the parachute and all test hardware functioned properly and landed safely.