Is it just me, or is the new Ares I space rocket, which has its first test flight a little later today, really ugly and inelegant?
When you compare it to previous manned spacecraft in the NASA programme, it sticks out like a sore thumb. The Saturn V and Space Shuttle (including the boosters) are gorgeous examples of great design, both practical and exciting.
This Ares I just looks a bit odd, especially because it is so top-heavy. The bottom half seems far too skinny to lift anything substantial into orbit, which is probably why NASA are developing the Ares V to do any heavy lifting. The space shuttle did both, and was much more flexible in terms of its payload.
I gather that NASA believes that the combination of Ares I and V will allow it to meet the same levels of flexibility, although by having two different launch vehicles won’t it involve more awkward planning in terms of orbital navigation and docking?
Anyways, you can watch the launch on NASA TV, at approx 12pm GMT.
(Photo from Wikipedia)
