The second attempt to fuel the Artemis 1 moon mission megarocket hit a problem due to a stuck valve on the ground equipment.
NASA had to scrub the Artemis 1 test after a vent valve on the mobile launcher structure jammed.
The test was called off due to the vent valve issue.
The launch platform for the SLS is on the 160-foot level of the mobile launcher.
The second attempt by NASA to fill the core stage of Artemis 1 was on Monday.
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NASA tried to fuel the Artemis 1 moon rocket on Sunday (April 3) but stopped before propellant loading began due to a problem with pressurization on the mobile launcher that keeps hazardous gases out of enclosed areas where technicians work. On Monday, technicians had loaded 50% of the liquid oxygen needed for the fueling test before standing down for the day.
Monday's test was supposed to be a simulation of a launch. Delays related to the rocket's nitrogen gas supplier stopped work. NASA wanted to have a simulation launch time of 6:02 p.m. once the issue was solved. The scrub was prompted by the stuck valve.
It's not clear if NASA will be able to recycle for a third time on Tuesday or if it will have to stand down and replenish its supplies. A private mission to the International Space Station is in the works.
The International Space Station will be the location of four private astronauts on the Ax-1 mission. The mission will be launched from Pad 39A, which is located near Artemis 1's Pad 39B.
The launch of the Ax-1 mission was pushed back to April 6 to allow NASA time for a wet dress rehearsal. The launch was pushed back again on Friday, after NASA's Artemis 1 caused delays on Sunday.
The fate of the Ax-1 mission is dependent on NASA's plans for the Artemis 1 fueling test. Four more astronauts will be sent to the space station by NASA on April 20 as part of the Crew-4 mission, which is being launched by SpaceX. There will be four astronauts on that flight, three from NASA and one from the European Space Agency.
Crew-4 has to wait for the Ax-1 mission to launch and NASA has to wait for the Artemis 1 wet dress rehearsal. Crew-4 is scheduled to launch on April 20 but has already had its schedule delayed.
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