NASA has announced that it is considering two dates for the launch of Artemis I into space: September 23 or September 27. Artemis I is NASA’s unmanned flight test that will lay the groundwork for human exploration in deep space while also demonstrating NASA’s commitment and capability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond.
On September 3, NASA attempted to launch Artemis I, but it was aborted due to a liquid hydrogen leak. The team is attempting to resolve a leaky fuel issue with the Space Launch System, or SLS. Engineers are repairing the area where the leak was discovered while the rocket is still on the Launch Pad. They have built a tent-like enclosure around the work area to protect the hardware and teams from the elements.
Teams will test the new seals under cryogenic, or supercold, conditions, in which the rocket’s core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to validate the repair under launch conditions.
Meanwhile, NASA has asked the Eastern Range to extend the current testing requirement for the flight termination system.
“NASA is respecting the range’s processes for review of the request, and the agency continues to provide detailed information to support a range decision,” the US space agency said in a statement.
It is also evaluating and adjusting launch opportunities and alternate dates based on progress at the pad and to align with other planned activities, including DART’s planned impact with an asteroid, the West
Coast launch of a government payload, and the launch of Crew-5 to the International Space Station.
