A $1.8 billion contract has been awarded to Alliant Techsystems, also known as ATK, for the design, development, testing, and evaluation of the first stage of NASA's new Ares I and Ares V rockets, reports say. Ares I and Ares V are intended to replace the Space Shuttle and serve as boosters for new manned missions to the Moon and eventually to Mars. In other developments, NASA has recently redesigned both rockets. An alternative rocket engine intended for Ares I has been eliminated and the height and weight of the Saturn V-class Ares V has been increased. For information on the ATK contract, see: http://www.space-travel.com/reports/NASA_Awards_First_Stage_Contract_For_Ares_Rockets_999.html
