NASA replaces leaky seals on Artemis 1 moon rocket, fueling test next

The stage was set for a fueling test to see if the repairs worked after the seals on the fuel lines were replaced.

NASA officials said in an update that engineers replaced the seals on the Artemis 1 Space Launch System megarocket.

There is a hydrogen fuel leak in an 8 inch line leading into the core stage of the SLS rocket. The first uncrewed test flight of the Artemis program was called off due to a leak. There was a leak on the smaller hydrogen "bleed line" that was replaced while the seal on the larger one was being replaced.

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NASA is going to conduct a fueling test to see if the hydrogen leaks are fixed after the repair work is done. The rocket needs 736,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen to be ready for launch.

NASA said in an update on Friday that the demonstration will allow engineers to check the new seals before proceeding to the next attempt.

The next Artemis 1 launch attempt is set for September 23, according to NASA officials. There is a Sept. 27 date. The SLS rocket needs to pass its fueling test in order to launch.

NASA needs to get a Waiver from the U.S. Space Force so that it won't have to return the SLS to its Vehicle Assembly Building for standard tests of the rocket's flight terminated system.

NASA will be able to perform a kick-start bleed test on the main engines of the SLS rocket during the upcoming fueling test. To prepare the engines for their super-chilled propellant, the test is to chill the engines down to a temperature of minus 410 degrees Fahrenheit. During the first two attempts, the agency couldn't perform that test.

The kick-start bleed test and a pre-pressurization test will be performed to confirm that the ground and flight hardware and software systems can perform the necessary functions required to thermally condition the engines for flight. Plans for the next launch opportunity will be evaluated after the test.

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