Ares I-X performs flawless rotation shortly into flight.  Photo: Ron Beard

Ares I-X creates sonic shockwaves while breaking the sound barrier.  Photo: Ron Beard

All initial signs of the flight demonstration are good.  Of course, Ares I-X’s real success will come several weeks from now when all of the data is collected, analyzed and utilized to develop a new space flight vehicle.  This data is exactly what triboelectrification could have compromised.

What is triboelectrification?  Quite simply, it is what kids have been doing to their siblings and friends for years; shuffling their feet and shocking their intended targets with an unsuspecting electrically charged touch.  Obviously, in the case of Ares I-X, there were more significant consequences than an angry peer.

Let’s break the word down.  Tribo is the Greek root, meaning friction.  According to the Oxford English Dictionary, tribology “is the study of friction, wear and lubrication and the design of bearings; the science of interacting surfaces in relative motion.”  So, the big concern around launch time of Ares I-X was that building electrostatic charges would be created by the friction created on and around Ares I-X during the flight.  If those electrostatic charges discharged onto the rocket, many of the data collecting sensors might be compromised.  If the data was compromised, NASA would have an aesthetically pleasing flight to remember but very little data to use to improving the vehicle.

The next obvious question is why tribolelectrification isn’t a concern for other launches (Saturn V launches, Shuttle launches, etc.)? The decals on Ares I-X were a possible culprit.  If that is true, then NASA should have used the very popular Triboelectrification NASA EDGE stickers/decals.  I can’t vouch for the other vehicles, but my guess is that NASA EDGE will be an intregal part of the soon to be formed anti-triboelectrification task force.  The first order of business; all wool sweaters, hush puppies and shag carpet will be banned from NASA Centers.  It is a symbolic move, to be sure.  But it is a start. 

What do you think?

BLACK POINT LAVA FLOW, AZ (NASA EDGE PRESS)  Life moves pretty fast across the lava flow in Arizona for the NASA Desert Research and Technology Studies  Team (D-RATS.)  At approximately 7:00am local time, NASA EDGE Set Therapist and Everyman were separated from their more studious counterparts and whisked away to the remote LER testing area by D-RATS taskmasters Joe Kosmo and Barbara Romig for exclusive coverage of the eighth day of a 14 day mission.

NASA EDGE brought back some stunning video and photos, but Ron explained that the pictures don’t tell the entire story.

“It’s really the little things.  We were instructed not to interact with the two test subjects.  I mean, if they are staring into the sun and claiming that they’re heading North, you don’t correct them.  Not that that happened.  That was just an example.” 

Franklin added, “We are so used to correcting the Co-Host.  It was actually a challenge not to interact or intervene.  But it’s cool, because everybody learns more by working through the errors and kinks along the way.”

Despite dry heat, malfunctioning communications equipment, uncooperative weather and a relentlessly rugged drive into the desert, the mission is going well and NASA, the D-RATS and even NASA EDGE are learning and making progress.

Joe Kosmo put it best when he said quite simply, “we are out here to learn.”

Here are just a few photos of today’s activity in the desert.

The LER drives toward some questionable weather. Credit: Ron Beard

Check out the cool observation bubble.  Is that Brent in there?  Credit: Ron Beard

They don't have full suits, but they are going through all of the important motions.  Credit: Ron Beard

This pic would never be taken on the Moon, except for the thumbs up!  Credit: Ron Beard

PROMONTORY, UT (NASA EDGE Press) - It is true.  The original test time for the Ares 1st Stage Motor Test was postponed approximately 20 seconds from firing on August 27, 2009.  Obviously, many people who were in attendance at ATK to witness this amazing event were sad to miss this spectacular demonstration.  It did, however, give the NASA EDGE Co-Host the opportunity to reflect on the importance of tests and data collection.

"We were poised to witness a two minute, intense rocket test that is 'rumored' to turn sand into glass," said the perspiration covered NASA EDGE Co-Host.  "Not getting an opportunity to collect some fresh glass souvenirs, certainly makes you stop and think."

AKT, NASA Officials and even the NASA EDGE Host were eventually able to explain to the Co-Host how important safety and integrity of the data collected are to the success of a given test.  The delay, while not a result of a safety concern, was made to insure that the necessary data would be measured at firing of the rocket motor.

“I get it.  I really do,” rambled the Co-Host.  “It is kind of like taking pictures with cameras without any film.  You can get a lot of things right, but have nothing to analyze in the end.”

Clearly, the Co-Host’s comprehension needs work, but ATK, NASA and everyone involved in making the test a success is working toward rescheduling the test to insure that they will learn everything they can to make Ares I NASA’s next launch vehicle.