NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is seen at Launch Pad 39B Thursday, September 8, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida as groups work to change the seal on a user interface, called the fast detach, between the liquid hydrogen fuel feed line on the mobile launcher and the rocket. Credit: NASA/Chad Siwik
NASA engineers are making progress in fixing the area where a liquid hydrogen leakage was identified during the Artemis I release attempt on September 3. NASA is maintaining alternatives for the next launch chance, which can take place as early as Friday, September 23.
Technicians constructed a tent-like enclosure around the workspace at Launch Pad 39B to safeguard the hardware and teams from weather and other environmental conditions. They have detached the ground- and rocket-side plates on the interface, called a quick detach, for the liquid hydrogen fuel feed line and carried out preliminary examinations. They have also begun changing 2 seals– one surrounding the 8 ″ line used to fill and drain pipes liquid hydrogen from the core stage, and another surrounding the 4 ″ bleed line utilized to redirect a few of the propellant during tanking operations. Both the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft are in excellent condition while staying at the launch pad.
Groups will inspect the new seals under cryogenic, or supercold, conditions no earlier than September 17. For this, the rockets core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage will be packed with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to validate the repair under the conditions it would experience on launch day.
NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen throughout dawn atop a mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B on August 31, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASAs Artemis I flight test is the first integrated test of the agencys deep area expedition systems: the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls
NASA has sent a demand to the Eastern Range, which supports rocket and rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and the Kennedy Space Center, for an extension of the existing testing requirement for the flight termination system. NASA is appreciating the ranges procedures for evaluation of the demand, and the company continues to offer in-depth information to support a range decision.
In the meantime, NASA is instructing the Artemis group to move on with all preparations required for screening, followed by launch. This consists of preparations to guarantee adequate materials of propellants and gases utilized in tanking operations, in addition to flight operations preparing for the mission. NASA has requested the following launch chances:
NASAs teams internally are preparing to support additional dates in case flexibility is required. The company will examine and change launch opportunities and alternate dates based upon progress at the pad and to line up with other scheduled activities. This includes DARTs organized effect with an asteroid, the west coast launch of a federal government payload, and the launch of Crew-5 to the International Space Station.
Listen to a replay of todays media teleconference on the status of the Artemis I objective. NASA Artemis I is an uncrewed flight test to offer a structure for human expedition in deep space and demonstrate our commitment and ability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond.
September 23: Two-hour launch window opens at 6:47 a.m. EDT; landing on October 18
September 27: 70-minute launch window opens at 11:37 a.m.; landing on November 5
For this, the rockets core phase and interim cryogenic propulsion stage will be packed with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to confirm the repair work under the conditions it would experience on launch day. NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen during dawn atop a mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B on August 31, 2022, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In the meantime, NASA is advising the Artemis group to move forward with all preparations required for testing, followed by launch. NASA has actually asked for the following launch chances:
This includes DARTs scheduled impact with an asteroid, the west coast launch of a federal government payload, and the launch of Crew-5 to the International Space Station.