T' deserts o' Promontory, Utah came alive with fire and thunder as NASA and ATK tested t' Development Motor-2 (DM-2). Begad! T' five-segment, first-stage o' t' Ares rocket was activated at 9:27 am MDT on Aug. 31. Begad! T' still mornin' air surrendered its silence t' t' sound o' unleashed technological thunder. Begad! T' surroundin' countryside was bathed in t' colors o' fire as a huge plume o' fame shot out t' back o' t' solid motor. Avast, me proud beauty! T' DM-2 test was conducted t' gain data on some 53 designs incorporated in this system. Some o' t' elements tested include t' redesigned rocket nozzle, new insulation used in this design and t' motor casing's liner. Arrr! When activated t' DM-2 produced an estimated 3.6 million pounds o' thrust -- equalin' 22 million horsepower. Arrr! T' motor had 760 instruments incorporated into it these instruments worked t' collect vital information regardin' t' rocket's performance when it was fired. T' horizontal ground test firin' is what is known as a "cold motor" test. This is accomplished by chillin' t' DM-2 down t' 40 degrees F. This is done t' measure how t' motor performs at very low temperatures. T' test also be held t' prove out design specifications o' new materials used in t' motor joints. These new elements will eliminate t' need for t' joint heaters that are currently used. (these heaters were required in t' 4-segment version o' t' motor's design). Avast! It is hoped that with t' addition o' these new modifications weight will be dramatically reduced ...