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You can use a Fiat 500 test vehicle to make reasonable predictions of the Fiat 500, just like Ares1X is used to predict Ares1.
But, I don't think you understand:
Ares I-X has no commonality with Ares-I.
The only thing Ares I-X has in common with Ares I, is it's shape (which can be accurately simulated in a computer model).
Ares I-X has no 5-seg SRB, it has no upper stage, it has no Orion CM separation test.
According to NASA, the supposed "objectives" of the "test flight" are:
. Demonstrating control of a dynamically similar vehicle using control algorithms similar to those used for Ares I.
-Could this not be done using a computer simulation? They never felt the need to test the Shuttle like this.
. Performing an in-flight separation/staging event between an Ares I-similar First Stage and a representative Upper Stage.
-What??? The only staging event will be the separation between the SRB & the upper stage. But, haven't we been successfully separating 4-seg SRB's for the last 30 years on the Space Shuttle anyway? Why test something we already know works?
. Demonstrating assembly and recovery of an Ares I-like First Stage at KSC.
-Again, haven't we been successfully assembling & recovering 4-seg SRB's at KSC for the last 30 years? Do we really need to test what we already know we can do?
. Demonstrating First Stage separation sequencing, and measuring First Stage atmospheric entry dynamics, and parachute performance.
-And again, haven't we already done this with 4-seg SRB's on the Shuttle for the last 30 years?
. Characterizing the magnitude of integrated vehicle roll torque throughout First Stage flight.
-But these "results" won't be any use in aiding the design of Ares-I, because no 5-seg SRB was used, no fuelled upper stage was present, and no Orion CM was present. So the "results" will not represent the actual Ares-I
Ares I-X is nothing more than a Shuttle SRB with a hollow white tube atop it. :facts:
If you would like to learn more about the real Ares I-X, then I suggest you read some of the documentation:
> Ares I-X Fact Sheet (PDF, 1.0 MB)
> Ares I-X Mission Specification (PDF, 8 MB)