April 26, 2024

NASA Targets September 3 for Next Artemis I Moon Mission Launch Attempt

Mission managers fulfilled Tuesday, August 30, to go over information and establish a forward plan to resolve issues that arose during an August 29 launch attempt for the flight test. During that launch attempt, engineering groups were not able to chill down the four RS-25 engines to approximately minus 420 degrees F. NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen at sunrise atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B, Monday, August 29, 2022, as the Artemis I launch teams load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants consisting of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the launch countdown progresses at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs new deep-space rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), will introduce missions powered by 4 RS-25 engines, reliable engines used for 135 shuttle bus missions.

NASAs brand-new deep-space rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), will introduce objectives powered by four RS-25 engines, dependable engines utilized for 135 shuttle bus missions. The engines have been upgraded with brand-new controllers and other functions for SLS. Each engine has an unique number that enables engineers to track its flight history. Credit: NASA/MSFC, Kevin Obrien
In addition, groups are setting up platforms at Launch Pad 39B to allow engineers access to the purge can on the tail service mast umbilical. Once gain access to is developed, professionals will carry out assessments and torque connection points where needed.
Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 anticipate beneficial weather conditions for Saturday. Rain showers are anticipated, they are anticipated to be erratic throughout the launch window.
The mission management group plans to reconvene on Thursday, September 1, to examine information and total readiness.

A NASA helicopter flies past the companys Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B, Monday, August 29, 2022, as the launch countdown advances at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
NASA will target Saturday, September 3 at 2:17 p.m. EDT (11:17 a.m. PDT), the start of a two-hour window, for the launch of Artemis I. It is the first incorporated test of NASAs Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and the ground systems at the companys Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Mission managers met Tuesday, August 30, to discuss data and develop a forward strategy to deal with problems that arose during an August 29 launch attempt for the flight test. During that launch effort, engineering teams were unable to chill down the 4 RS-25 engines to approximately minus 420 degrees F. In specific, engine 3 revealed greater temperature levels than the other engines. Teams also saw a hydrogen leakage on a component of the tail service mast umbilical fast disconnect, called the purge can. They managed the leak by manually changing propellant flow rates.
NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen at sunrise atop the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B, Monday, August 29, 2022, as the Artemis I release groups pack more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants including liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as the launch countdown progresses at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs Artemis I flight test is the first incorporated test of the companys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky
In the coming days, teams will customize and practice propellant filling procedures to follow a procedure comparable to what was successfully carried out during the Green Run at NASAs Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. The upgraded treatments would carry out the chill down test of the engines, likewise called the kick start bleed test, about 30 to 45 minutes earlier in the countdown. This would be throughout the liquid hydrogen quick fill liquid stage for the core stage.