By NASA
April 22, 2022
Wildflowers frame a view of the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 21, 2022. The SLS and Orion atop the mobile launcher were carried to the pad on crawler-transporter 2 for a prelaunch test called a wet dress rehearsal. In future Artemis objectives, NASA will land the first female and the very first person of color on the surface of the Moon, paving the method for a long-term lunar existence and serving as a stepping stone on the method to Mars.
Teams at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida are preparing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for their return to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) early next week. While work at the launch pad continues over the weekend, NASA will likewise continue working carefully with their industrial team partners to complete a date and time.
This process consists of unloading hydrazine from the twin strong rocket boosters and disconnecting the rocket and spacecraft from the ground systems facilities at the launch pad. The rocket and spacecraft remain in a safe setup and will quickly be put atop the crawler-transporter for the 4-mile trek to the VAB.
Inside the VAB, engineers will repair a malfunctioning helium check valve and a hydrogen leak on the mobile launcher while the supplier for the gaseous nitrogen makes upgrades to their pipeline setup to support Artemis I screening and launch.
Wildflowers frame a view of the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 21, 2022. In future Artemis missions, NASA will land the very first female and the first individual of color on the surface area of the Moon, paving the method for a long-lasting lunar existence and serving as a stepping stone on the way to Mars. This process consists of unloading hydrazine from the twin strong rocket boosters and disconnecting the rocket and spacecraft from the ground systems infrastructure at the launch pad.
While most objectives related to the wet gown wedding rehearsal were fulfilled throughout recent testing, groups prepare to return to the launch pad when repairs and checkouts in the VAB are total for the next full wet dress test attempt. Following conclusion of the test, SLS and Orion will go back to the VAB for the remaining checkouts before rolling back out to the pad for launch.
See a live stream of the rocket on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel and inspect back here for updates.