The Ares I-X development test flight will provide NASA an early opportunity to test and prove hardware, facilities and ground operations associated with the Ares I crew launch vehicle. The test also will allow NASA to gather critical data during ascent of the integrated stack, which includes the Ares I vehicle with a simulated upper stage and the Orion crew module and launch abort system. Data collected will begin to confirm the vehicle as a whole is safe and stable in flight before astronauts begin traveling into orbit.