After shifting the test launch of the Artemis 1 rocket to September 2, NASA has finally revised its plans. Indeed, the American space agency has just announced the postponement of the operation to September 3 at the beginning of the afternoon, that is to say this Saturday. In question, the bad weather expected this Friday.
This Monday August 29, 2022 was to take place the test launch of the Artemis 1 rocket. The giant Space Launch System rocket was to take off from launch pad 39B at the NASA complex in Cape Canaveral, Florida. However, several technical problems on engine number 3 forced the American space agency to postpone the launch to Friday September 2 at 6 p.m.
However, we have just learned that NASA has just changed its plans again. In effect, the institution is now targeting Saturday, September 3 in the early afternoon for the launch of Artemis 1, the first integrated test of the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and NASA ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
NASA once again postpones the launch of Artemis 1
NASA says mission officials met on Tuesday, August 30 to discuss the data and develop an action plan to address issues that arose during the August 29 launch attempt. During this operation, crews failed to cool the four RS-25 engines to approximately -420 degrees Fahrenheit, engine 3 showing higher temperatures than the others.
In addition, the teams also observed a hydrogen leak on a component of the tail service mast umbilical quick coupler, more commonly referred to as a purge canister. This issue was addressed by manually adjusting the propellant flow rates.
As NASA points out, there was a 60% chance that the launch would be delayed this Friday due to bad weather. Hence the decision to postpone the operation again to the following day. Showers are however expected on Saturday, “but they should be sporadic during the launch window”, assures NASA.
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The 1st step before a return to the Moon
Mission officials are due to meet again on Thursday to review the new data obtained and the general state of readiness for the launch. If the launch is successful, the SLS will carry the Orion capsule (unmanned) to an altitude of just under 4000 kilometers before the two craft separate.
Orion will continue its 36-day journey to the Moon, and will orbit Earth’s natural satellite for 6 days before returning to the blue planet. The capsule is expected to crash into the ocean by October 11, 2022. If everything goes without a hitch, this test will mark the 1st stage of the Artemis program towards a return of Man to the Moon.
