The NASA Railroad hauls with the first Ares I-X segment to the Rotation Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

The NASA Railroad hauls one of the cars with the first Ares I-X segment to the Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Four reusable motor segments and the nozzle exit cone, manufactured by the Ares I first-stage prime contractor Alliant Techsystems Inc., departed Utah March 12 on the seven-day, cross-country trip to Florida. The segments are being delivered to Kennedy's Rotation, Processing and Surge Facility for final processing and integration. The booster used for the Ares I-X launch is being modified by adding new forward structures and a fifth segment simulator. The motor is the final hardware needed for the rocket's upcoming test flight this summer. The stacking operations are scheduled to begin in the Vehicle Assembly Building in April. Photo credit: NASA/Jack Pfaller