Ares 1-X Launches

Ares 1-X successfully launched on October 28. This sub-orbital mock-up tested the avionics and mechanics of a simulated Ares SRB -- A 4 segment shuttle SRB was used with a dummy fifth segment on the top of the stack. The remainder of the rocket was basically an empty shell, save for the roll control in the upper stage. All in all, everything went as planned. There are at least 2 more flights planned that will incrementally test the Ares design, ending with an unmanned orbital flight in the far future.