NASA engineers Thursday successfully completed the first series of tests in the early development of the J-2X engine that will power the upper stages of the Ares I and Ares V rockets, key components of NASA's Constellation Program.

Ares I will launch the Orion spacecraft that will take astronauts to the International Space Station and then to the moon by 2020.

The Ares V will carry cargo and components into orbit for trips to the moon and later to Mars.