NASA delays dress rehearsal of new megarocket

Image: NASA/Joel Kowsky via Flickr

NASA suspended the last major test of its Space Launch System rocket after pressurization issues prevented technicians from safely loading propellants into the rocket. NASA announced in a post on the Artemis I live blog that the wet dress rehearsal has been postponed until Monday, April 4th.

The teams decided to scrub tanking operations for the wet dress rehearsal due to the inability to pressurize the mobile launcher. Positive pressure is crucial in warding off hazardous gases, and some fans on the platform that provides support for the rocket up until launch were unable to maintain it. NASA technicians couldn't proceed with the fuel loading process because of this.

For safety, we've stopped the #Artemis I wet dress rehearsal. Teams are meeting now to assess next steps. We are looking at Monday, April 4 as the next opportunity to resume operations, and will have a media briefing later today. Check here for updates. https://t.co/pweviGRjwg

— NASA (@NASA) April 3, 2022

This type of dress rehearsal is basically a run-through of all the procedures NASA will have to carry out when the first actual launch of SLS takes place. In a press conference on Sunday evening, NASA said that its team is on the launchpad trying to fix the issue. The agency says it will resume the dress rehearsal tomorrow.

The test began on April 1st at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida and was supposed to end on Sunday. lightning struck the towers around the launchpad as NASA encountered some rough weather. One of the strongest strikes NASA has seen since installing the lightning protection system was hit between the 3 towers.

The Artemis I flight is supposed to take the SLS to the Moon, and NASA is supposed to be a part of it.

You can keep up to date on the test on NASA's live blog, as well as on the agency's social media.