The sunrise casts a golden radiance on the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 23, 2022. The SLS and Orion atop the mobile launcher were transferred to the pad on crawler-transporter 2 for a prelaunch test called a wet gown rehearsal. Artemis I will be the very first incorporated test of the SLS and Orion spacecraft. In later on missions, NASA will land the very first woman and the first individual of color on the surface area of the Moon, leading the way for a long-term lunar presence and functioning as a stepping stone on the method to Mars. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
Following arrival of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis I at Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 18, groups have linked various ground assistance devices components to the rocket and spacecraft, consisting of electrical, fuel ecological control system ducts, and cryogenic propellant lines. Teams successfully powered up all aspects of the integrated system at the pad for the very first time on March 21 in preparation for the wet dress rehearsal test prepared for April 1-3.
Engineering testing is underway to ensure systems continue to operate as prepared with the rocket and spacecraft now set up at the pad. In addition, specialists will put on self-contained atmospheric protective ensemble suits, or SCAPE fits, to practice operations in the event of an emergency at the pad during fueling and launch. After checkouts at the pad are total next week, the group will begin system walkdowns ahead of the test.
The around two-day wet dress wedding rehearsal test will show the groups capability to fill cryogenic, or super-cold, propellants into the rocket, conduct a launch countdown, and practice safely eliminating propellants at the launch pad. After damp dress wedding rehearsal, engineers will roll the rocket and spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for final checkouts before launch.
