Shortly after coming off a successful Ares program test launch, NASA’s Ares I rocket team has been given Time magazine’s top accolade in science and technology of the No. 1 best invention of 2009.
“Well, I was shocked and amazed when I saw the story, but it shows the work our team has done over the past four years,” said Teresa Vanhooser, acting manager of Ares projects at Marshall Space Flight Center. “I’m just proud for the entire team.”
On Oct. 28, NASA lofted the Ares I-X test rocket into the Florida sky for almost seven minutes. The test will help NASA design and build the planned Ares I, which the space agency hopes to replace the retiring space shuttle with by 2015.
“It was an outstanding test, and it validated some areas and showed us where we need to improve. That’s what test flight is about,” Vanhooser told The Times today.