NASA: What’s happening with the Artemis 1 mission – Why the 3rd launch attempt may be delayed

It’s a matter of prestige, cost, but also program… H NASA it is already in a difficult position, as it has twice postponed the launch of the spacecraft that will mark the beginning of the Artemis 1 mission, through which it will “pave” the way for the return of man to the Moon.

After two postponements, the Space Agency has set September 27 for the launch of the spacecraft. According to the latest information, however, there is a possibility of a new postponement, with a new date in October. Doing so would be a blow to NASA’s reputation, increase the cost of the venture, and at the same time put the mission off schedule, which could have a domino effect on other missions being planned, including manned flight to Earth’s physical satellite. .

First, its launch Artemis 1 was scheduled for August 29. However, an engine problem prevented the launch from taking place.

The second date given was September 3rd. Then, seven hours before launch, a hydrogen fuel leak was detected.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has agreed to launch Artemis 1 on September 27. NASA is determined to go ahead with the mission in late September, but has also left a window… open for early October.

The date will depend on the engineering teams conducting a test to power the Space Launch System rocket and receiving a waiver to avoid retesting the batteries in an emergency flight system used to destroy the rocket if it moves away from the specified range.

If the tests fail, the missile will have to be moved back to its assembly building, which means the schedule will be pushed back several weeks.

The next possible alternative date is October 2nd.

The timeline of postponements

AUGUST 29:

The refueling was scheduled to begin shortly after midnight, but was delayed an hour due to offshore storms.
It started at 1:13 am.

Prior to the scheduled 8:33 a.m. launch, engine 3 of the rocket’s four engines appeared to be above the maximum allowable temperature limit for launch. Other technical difficulties included an eleven-minute communication delay between the spacecraft and ground control, a fuel leak, and a crack in the insulating foam of the connecting joints between the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks.

NASA postponed the launch when the two-hour launch window passed. An investigation revealed that a faulty sensor incorrectly displayed a high temperature in engine 3.

SEPTEMBER 3:

The launch window would have opened at 2:17 p.m. and it would take two hours. The launch was postponed at 11:17 am. due to a fuel supply line leak at a service arm connected to the engine compartment. The cause of the leak remains unclear.

Mission operators are investigating whether an overpressurization of the quick-detach interface liquid hydrogen line during the launch attempt may have damaged a seal, allowing the hydrogen to escape.

SEPTEMBER 8:

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) reveals two launch dates in late September. September 23 and September 27 were possible dates marked for a third attempt to launch the Artemis 1 mission to the Moon.

SEPTEMBER 12:

NASA is targeting September 27 as a possible launch window. The date will depend on the engineering teams successfully conducting a test to power the Space Launch System rocket and receiving a waiver to avoid retesting the batteries in an emergency flight system used to destroy the rocket if it moves away from the specified range. If it doesn’t get the clearance, the missile will have to be moved back to its assembly building, pushing the schedule back several weeks.

OCTOBER 2:

This date was chosen as a possible alternative to the September 27 start date.

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