NASA and industry partners lit up the Utah sky on Sept. 10, 2009, with the initial full scale, full-duration test firing of the first motor for the Ares I rocket. Engineers will use the measurements gathered from the test to evaluate thrust, roll control, acoustics and motor vibrations. This data will provide valuable information as NASA develops the Ares I and Ares V vehicles. Another ground test is planned for summer 2010.

Yikes! Have you guys heard that? 22 million horse power for that rocket alone. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere within a few miles of that thing when it fires. Notice how the slightly green hills behind the rocket transform themselves into a barren wasteland right after the test.