Horizontal Upper Stage
PADD
Performance, Analysis & Design Demonstrator
Marshall Space Flight Center - Human Engineering Analysis Team
The Upper Stage (US) is the middle portion of the Ares I vehicle. It is located
between the First Stage and the Crew Exploration Vehicle (CEV). The US
contains the Instrument Unit, Liquid Hydrogen Tank, Liquid Oxygen Tank, Aft
Skirt, Interstage, Thrust Cone, and J-2X engine. The purpose of
the US is to continue propelling and directing the CEV into space after the
First Stage falls away.