A view of the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft right before dawn at Launch Complex 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 23, 2022. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
The objective management group for Artemis I satisfied this morning to examine the status of operations and continues to push ahead towards terminal countdown for the damp gown practice session test. Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 presently anticipate favorable weather condition conditions for tanking on April 14. There is presently a 5% possibility of lightning within five nautical miles of the launch pad when tanking starts. Weather condition restrictions state there need to be less than a 20% possibility of lightning within 5 nautical miles of the pad during the first hour of tanking. Winds need to not be above 37.5 knots and the temperature level can not be below 41 degrees Fahrenheit.
An artist illustration of the mobile launcher with umbilical linesinstalled on the tower and connected to NASAs Space LaunchSystem rocket and Orion spacecraft. Credit: NASA
Last preparations on the umbilicals to ensure connection between the mobile launcher, the Space Launch System rocket, and Orion spacecraft were completed this night.
The umbilicals provide power, interactions, coolant, and fuel to different parts of the rocket. Additional devices supply gain access to and support the rocket and spacecraft. Throughout launch, each umbilical releases from its connection point, allowing the rocket and spacecraft to take off securely from the launch pad.
Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 currently anticipate beneficial weather conditions for tanking on April 14. There is currently a 5% opportunity of lightning within 5 nautical miles of the launch pad when tanking starts. Throughout launch, each umbilical releases from its connection point, allowing the rocket and spacecraft to lift off safely from the launch pad.
Groups have also finished a last walkdown at the pad to verify the rocket and ground devices are in the right setup for tanking operations inspecting to make sure no foreign object particles is present near the rocket that could present a threat during the test.
The next update will be supplied in the early morning of April 14, prior to the mission management teams pre-tanking briefing where they will examine the status of operations and identify if they are “go” to continue toward tanking operations.
Real-time updates will be supplied on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account with “go” for tanking targeted on April 14. NASA is likewise streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel.
NASAs Space Launch System rocket, or SLS, will be the most powerful rocket in the world, with the capability to release humans beyond Earths orbit on Artemis objectives. The SLS rocket, powered by 4 RS-25 core phase engines and two solid rocket boosters, along with an RL10 in-space propulsion engine, supplies the energy necessary to launch the Orion spacecraft to the Moon or beyond.
