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NASA selects Boeing as Ares I avionics contractor |
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Written by Derek Kessler on
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
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 The last remaining major contract towards building the Ares I rocket has been awarded to the Boeing Company. They have won the rights to build and install the avionics systems for Ares I, which will serve as the launch system for the shuttle-replacing Orion crew exploration vehicle. The avionics are essentially the brains of the rocket: computers that will control guidance, navigation, rocket control, and life support systems.
The estimated $800,000,000 contract (over the next several years) was a coup for Boeing, which earlier this year secured the contract to construct the rocket's upper stage. The avionics systems will be installed in the upper stage, allowing Boeing to more easily integrate with their designs for the rocket and the eventual contractors for the Orion crew capsule. The upper stage will be built at the NASA Michoud Assembly Facility, where the external fuel tank for the space shuttles are currently constructed, and the former construction site of the Saturn V's S-IC stage, which Boeing built back in the 1960's.
NASA plans to retire the space shuttle fleet in 2010 and is currently rushing to complete the International Space Station before that deadline. The Orion Crew Exploration Vehicle and accompanying Ares rockets are destined to replace the shuttle for missions to the ISS, the moon, and eventually Mars. NASA currently projects that they will begin Orion flights in 2014.
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"You will excuse me now, Captain. I have an appointment with enternity and I don't want to be late."
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