Teams with Exploration Ground Systems at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida continue to work the upgrades and repairs on mobile launcher 1 and Launch Pad 39B on June 13, 2023, ahead of the first vital ground testing for Artemis II. The group has almost completed the terminus location, where the emergency situation egress baskets bring the astronauts and flight team will arrive following their safe exit from the mobile launcher.
As groups with NASAs Exploration Ground Systems Program at the agencys Kennedy Space Center in Florida get ready for the very first major set of integrated ground system tests for Artemis II, the first crewed objective under Artemis, engineers have actually nearly completed upgrades to mobile launcher 1 and launch pad 39B.
Service technicians fixed the elevators on the mobile launcher, which sustained damage during Artemis I introduce, and groups are evaluating methods to harden the elevators and enhance blast doors ahead of Artemis II. Teams are finishing refurbishing the platforms blast plates surrounding the mobile launchers flame hole to safeguard it versus the powerful exhaust plume from the rockets engines. At the pad, personnel are modifying the panels on the flame deflector to represent rough exhaust streams observed after the very first SLS (Space Launch System) launch.
Teams likewise are evaluating the crew access arm, the entry and exit point on the mobile launcher astronauts use for access to the Orion spacecraft. This summertime, workers will carry out swing tests of the arm to guarantee it and supporting mobile launcher systems are accredited to support crewed missions.
The crew access arm (CAA) has been extended in this view of the mobile launcher on June 13, 2023. The CAA is the entry and exit point astronauts will use for access to the Orion spacecraft. Tests will be conducted to guarantee the arm and supporting mobile launcher systems are certified to support crewed missions. Artemis II will be the very first Artemis mission flying team aboard Orion. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Another major upgrade to the mobile launcher ahead of Artemis II is the addition of the emergency egress life security system. The system provides astronauts and close out teams the ability to safely leave the mobile launcher or Orion in the unlikely event of an emergency throughout launch countdown. If astronauts and pad personnel need to leave, they will proceed to the emergency egress baskets, which are suspended from a catenary system, and take a trip down to emergency transport lorries located at the base of the launch pad. The baskets, which resemble gondola automobiles at ski lifts, will be installed on the mobile launcher and tested later this year.
” The emergency situation egress system is a critical piece supporting the security of the crew and is dependent on our team being thorough in their work and conducting safe practices,” stated Shawn Quinn, Exploration Ground Systems Program manager. “NASA has 5 core values: security, integrity, quality, teamwork, and addition. It is no coincidence that safety comes first– the stability of our work and providing an emergency egress system are all dependent on our safety worths.”
Groups are redesigning the panels on the flame deflector in the flame trench at Launch Pad 39B in this view on June 13, 2023, ahead of the first critical ground screening for Artemis II. The flame deflector withstood damage observed after launch of Artemis I. Artemis II will be the very first Artemis mission flying team aboard Orion. Credit: NASA/Kim Shiflett
Teams likewise have actually nearly finished the emergency egress system terminus area at pad 39B, where the baskets carrying the astronauts or other workers will show up following their safe exit from the mobile launcher in an emergency. Emergency situation transport lorries will be stationed there to take the astronauts and staying personnel securely away from the launch pad. The terminus area will be finished by the end of this month in preparation for mobile launcher arrival at the pad later on this summer for tests.
Other upgrades to pad 39B consist of finishing building and construction of the additional 1.4-million-gallon liquid hydrogen sphere utilized for propellant loading. Having two liquid hydrogen spheres at the pad enables groups to reduce time between launch efforts for resupplying liquid hydrogen. When building is total in July, workers will evaluate the brand-new tank by flowing liquid hydrogen to and from it while the mobile launcher is at the pad.
In July, groups likewise anticipate to finish the ecological control system at the pad, which offers air supply, thermal control, and pressurization to SLS and Orion. Engineers will demonstrate the system as part of the confirmation and validation screening.
After the mobile launcher gets here at the launch pad, ground systems teams at Kennedy and the Artemis II crew will perform a day of launch dry run, consisting of operations for the team, closeout crew, and the pad rescue team. The test will consist of being inside team quarters, placing on their orange Orion Crew Survival System spacesuits, and heading to the launch pad in the new all-electric team transportation cars. Future tests with the crew include demonstrating the end-to-end emergency situation egress process from the white room– the space inside the mobile launchers team gain access to arm– to the pad evacuation site.
By Antonia Jaramillo, NASAs John F. Kennedy Space Center
June 23, 2023
Groups with Exploration Ground Systems at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida continue to work the upgrades and repairs on mobile launcher 1 and Launch Pad 39B on June 13, 2023, ahead of the very first important ground testing for Artemis II. Groups likewise have actually almost finished the emergency egress system terminus location at pad 39B, where the baskets carrying the astronauts or other personnel will arrive following their safe exit from the mobile launcher in an emergency. Once building and construction is total in July, workers will check the brand-new tank by streaming liquid hydrogen to and from it while the mobile launcher is at the pad.
After the mobile launcher shows up at the launch pad, ground systems groups at Kennedy and the Artemis II crew will perform a day of launch dry run, consisting of operations for the crew, closeout team, and the pad rescue group. Future tests with the crew include showing the end-to-end emergency egress procedure from the white space– the space inside the mobile launchers crew gain access to arm– to the pad evacuation site.