NASA is just days away from a key fueling test of its new megarocket that could make or break its chances of launching its Artemis 1 mission to the moon next week.
A new, slower way to fuel up the booster at Pad 389A of the Kennedy Space Center will be tested during the fueling test on Wednesday. NASA will attempt to launch the Artemis 1 SLS rocket to the moon if everything goes well.
NASA's deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development said in a teleconference Monday that they are setting themselves up for the future of the vehicle. We're trying to make sure we understand the vehicle.
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There were two failed attempts to launch the Artemis 1 mission, the first uncrewed test flight of the SLS rocket with its capsule. The space agency was able to repair two hydrogen lines.
The leak of the 8-inch line was a concern. The larger line's seal was found to have a small hole in it that may or may not have been caused by a piece of debris.
NASA's Artemis 1 mission manager said in the teleconference that hydrogen is the smallest particle on the atomic chart. A pressurized gas can leak through that.
During this week's test, NASA will attempt a "kinder and gentler" liquid hydrogen loading process. It will take about 30 minutes less to fuel the rocket because of the stress on the fuel lines.
John Blevins, NASA's SLS chief engineer of the Marshall Space Flight Center, told reporters that they will know in 36 hours or 48 hours how effective the mitigations are.
The agency added training for the launch team to avoid an accident like the one that happened during the Sept. 3 attempt.
NASA will fill the rocket's core and upper stages with 736,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen during a fueling test on Wednesday. NASA officials said that it's not a full dress rehearsal for launch, but is meant to verify the fuel leak fixes and new fueling process work.
It's not a sure thing that NASA will be able to launch on Sept. 27 even if the fueling test goes well.
The SLS rocket's batteries have to be checked every 25 days, which is why the space agency is trying to get a Waiver from the U.S. Space Force. The SLS rocket is designed to blow up if it goes off course. It is required by the U.S. Space Force to make sure it works.
The Vehicle Assembly Building hangar is where the SLS was built. Adding weeks of more delays is what NASA would have to do to get that done.
We are in the process of having technical discussions with the Range. It has been very productive. NASA does not expect to be notified before the fueling test if it is granted the waivers.
If the Artemis 1 fueling test goes well, the next launch attempt will be on September 27 at 11:37 a.m. The sun rises at 1537GMT. The mission would be launched in a period of 70 minutes.
There is a chance for a backup launch on October 2 if the Space Force and the Artemis 1 launch system are healthy.
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