NASA engineers are making progress in repairing the area where a liquid hydrogen leak was detected during the Artemis I launch attempt on September 3. NASA is holding options for the next launch opportunity, which could happen as early as Friday, September 23. Technicians constructed a tent-like enclosure around the work area on Launch Pad 39B to protect the hardware and teams from weather and other environmental conditions. They have disconnected the ground and rocket plates at the interface, called a quick disconnect, for the liquid hydrogen fuel supply line and performed initial inspections. They also began replacing two seals—one surrounding the 8-inch line used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the core stage, and another surrounding the 4-inch vent line used to redirect some of the propellant during of tank operations. Both the SLS rocket and the Orion spacecraft are in good condition while remaining at the launch site. Once the repair work is complete, engineers will reattach the plates and carry out initial tests to evaluate the new seals. The teams will test the new seals under cryogenic or ultracold conditions no earlier than September 17. For this, the rocket’s core stage and cryogenic propulsion intermediate stage will be loaded with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen to validate the repair under the conditions it will face on launch day. Engineers are in the process of developing a complete plan for the funds. NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft is seen at sunrise above a mobile launcher on Launch Pad 39B on August 31, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA’s Artemis I flight test is the first comprehensive test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket and ground support systems. Credit: NASA/Bill Ingalls NASA has submitted a request to the Eastern Range, which supports rocket and rocket launches from the Cape Canaveral Space Station and the Kennedy Space Center, to extend the current flight termination system testing requirement. NASA is respecting the series’ procedures for reviewing the request, and the agency continues to provide detailed information to support a range decision. Meanwhile, NASA instructs the Artemis team to proceed with all the preparations required for the tests, followed by launch. This includes preparations to ensure adequate supplies of propellants and gases used in tank operations, as well as planning flight operations for the mission. NASA has requested the following launch opportunities:
September 23: Two-hour launch window opens at 6:47 AM. EDT. landing on October 18 September 27: The 70-minute launch window opens at 11:37 AM. landing on November 5
NASA teams internally are preparing to support additional dates should flexibility be needed. The agency will evaluate and adjust launch opportunities and alternate dates based on progress at the pad and to align with other planned activities. This includes the planned impact of DART with an asteroid, the launch of a government payload on the West Coast, and the launch of Crew-5 to the International Space Station. Listen to a replay of today’s media conference call on the status of the Artemis I mission. NASA Artemis I is an uncrewed flight test that provides the basis for human exploration of deep space and demonstrates our commitment and ability to extend human existence to the Moon and beyond.
