June 21, 2007 Beth Dickey/Melissa Mathews Headquarters, Washington 202-358-2087/1272 Kim Newton Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, Ala. 256-544-0034 CONTRACT RELEASE: C07-25 NASA AUTHORIZES CONTRACT FOR ARES I MATERIALS WASHINGTON -- NASA has authorized a contract with a maximum value of $16.7 million with Alcoa North American Rolled Products of Bettendorf, Iowa, to supply aluminum lithium plates and metal ingots for early development of the Ares I crew launch vehicles upper stage. The firm fixed-price contract has a period of performance through Aug. 5, 2008. Ares I is an in-line, two-stage rocket that will transport to low Earth orbit the Orion crew exploration vehicle containing up to six astronauts. The first stage will consist of a single reusable solid rocket booster similar to those used on the space shuttle, with an additional fifth segment. The second, or upper, stage will consist of a J-2X main engine fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellants. For information about NASA's Constellation Program, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/constellation -end- To subscribe to the list, send a message to: hqnews-subscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx To remove your address from the list, send a message to: hqnews-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
