The escape tower is shown here being jettisoned from the Ares I upper stage in this artists conception. Boeing is competing to produce the upper stage for the Ares I crew launch vehicle, NASAs first new human-rated launch vehicle since the space shuttle. The 309-foot long, two-stage Ares I rocket is capable of launching approximately 25 metric tons into low Earth orbit. The Ares I rocket is slated for its first flight in 2009.