A dawn view of the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 21, 2022. Artemis I will be the first integrated test of the SLS and Orion spacecraft.
At approximately 6:45 a.m. EDT, the launch director and objective management team chair provided the “go” to begin tanking the rocket. Meteorologists with Space Launch Delta 45 stated there were no weather condition infractions for the test. All components are powered up and teams have moved the side flame deflectors into position and completed final preparations and closeouts of the umbilicals that connect the mobile launcher to the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.
The flame deflectors divert ignited propellant far from the rocket and ground infrastructure at liftoff. The engines will not be lit during the test, launch controllers are using the damp gown wedding rehearsal to practice countdown turning points like they would on launch day.
The umbilicals supply power, interactions, coolant, and fuel to various parts of the rocket. Extra devices supply access and stabilize the rocket and spacecraft. Throughout launch, each umbilical releases from its connection point, enabling the rocket and spacecraft to take off securely from the launch pad.
A daybreak view of the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 21, 2022. All elements are powered up and teams have actually moved the side flame deflectors into position and finished last preparations and closeouts of the umbilicals that connect the mobile launcher to the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.
During launch, each umbilical releases from its connection point, allowing the rocket and spacecraft to lift off safely from the launch pad.
Cryogenic filling operations are schedule to start around 7:20 a.m., or with L-7 hours, 20 minutes staying in the countdown.
When propellant loading operations start, liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) will flow into the rockets core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage tanks and be completed and replenished as some of cryogenic propellant boils off. The team will also carry out leakage checks to ensure propellant loading is proceeding as expected.
NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft at the launch pad on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel. Venting may show up throughout tanking operations. NASA is also sharing live updates on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account.
The next blog update will be supplied when core stage propellant loading is underway.