The Artemis I mission passed a major test: When will it be launched?

Artemis 1 will send an unmanned Orion capsule into lunar orbit using a giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket (REUTERS/Joe Skipper)

There were many hours of auditions and stress, after the cancellation the mission Artemis I He will be released, but yesterday You have successfully completed the critical fuel filling test without major failures. So, NASA is considering September 27 as a target date for launch.

Artemis I launch manager, Charlie Blackwell Thompsonemphasized that all objectives cryogenic demonstration testCrews are now continuing vital safety activities and preparations to empty the missile tanks. After a hydrogen leak was found in a cavity in the tail service mast mast early in the loading process, The engineers were able to solve the problem and continue with the planned activities.

The four main objectives of the cryogenic demonstration included assessing the reform to be addressed Hydrogen Leak identified in the previous launch attempt, load propellant into missile tanks using new actions, and perform boot purge and perform a pre-compression test.

Experts review the various steps of the Artemis I (NASA) mission
Experts review the various steps of the Artemis I (NASA) mission

New cryogenic loading procedures and ground automation are designed for temperature change And slowly squeeze over the tank To reduce the chance of leaks that can result from rapid changes in temperature or pressure. After finding the leak early in the process, the crew reduced shipping stresses to fix the problem and continue with beta testing. Pre-pressure testing allowed engineers to calibrate the settings used to condition the engines during the final countdown and to validate schedules prior to launch day to reduce schedule risks during launch day countdown.

See also  Overwatch will soon play a crossover game between PC, Xbox, PlayStation and Nintendo Switch after five years

Teams will evaluate the test data, along with weather and other factors, before confirming that they are ready to move forward with the next estimated release opportunity on Tuesday, September 27. The SLS missile remains in a secure configuration while teams evaluate next steps.

Artemis I is the first in a series of increasingly complex missions. It will provide a foundation for human exploration of deep space and demonstrate our commitment and ability to extend human presence to the Moon and beyond. The primary objective of Artemis I is to comprehensively test integrated systems prior to manned missions by operating the spacecraft in a deep space environment, Test Orion’s heat shield and restore the crew unit after re-entry, descent and spray.

The rocket passed a major fuel filling test (Artemis software, Photo: Equiva)
The rocket passed a major fuel filling test (Artemis software, Photo: Equiva)

Artemis 1 will send an unmanned Orion capsule into lunar orbit using a giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. NASA attempted to launch the mission on September 3, but was thwarted by a liquid hydrogen fuel leak in a “quick separation” in the SLS core stage, an interface that connects the rocket to a fuel line from its turret. Mobile launch. Yesterday the Artemis 1 team replaced two of the seals around the quick chapter on September 9 and then scheduled a fuel test to see if the repair was working. This test happened yesterday on Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and it brought good news for the mission.

“All the goals we set for ourselves that we’ve been able to achieve today,” said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis launch manager, of KSC’s Earth Systems Exploration Program, In brief comments after Wednesday’s test, which took most of the time. This does not mean that everything went well. For example, the leak appeared upon rapid disconnection during charging of liquid hydrogen. But the team managed to fix it. They heated up the quick disconnect, allowing it to “reinstall” which reduced the leakage rate to acceptable levels.

See also  The natural mask to take care of your hair and go from brown to blonde without harming your hair

Artemis 1 personnel also noticed a different hydrogen leak during a “pre-compression test,” which was also part of Wednesday’s activities. This test “allowed engineers to calibrate the settings used to adapt the engines during the final count and validate timeframes prior to launch day to reduce scheduling risks during the launch day countdown,” NASA officials explained in a blog post After the test is over. Agency officials said the second leak was smaller than the other and the Artemis 1 team was able to keep it under control.

Currently, NASA is considering September 27 as a launch target for Artemis 1, with a possible backup date of October 2. It’s too early to officially commit to any of those dates despite Wednesday’s success, Blackwell Thompson concluded to wait for more conclusive reports.

Read on:

Lovell Loxley

"Alcohol buff. Troublemaker. Introvert. Student. Social media lover. Web ninja. Bacon fan. Reader."

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top