NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft sits atop the mobile launcher at Launch 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Sam Lott After first disconnecting the ground and rocket-side plates at the interface, called a quick disconnect, for the liquid hydrogen fuel supply line, teams have now replaced the seals on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s center stage associated with the liquid hydrogen leak was detected during the Artemis I launch attempt on September 3. Both the 8″ line used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the core stage and the 4″ vent line used to redirect some of the propellant during tank operations were removed and replaced this week. Technicians will then reconnect the umbilical discs and perform inspections over the weekend. After that, they will start preparing for a tank show on Saturday, September 17. This demonstration will allow engineers to verify the new seals under cryogenic or ultracold conditions expected on launch day, before proceeding with the next launch attempt. The four RS-25 engines on NASA’s Space Launch System rocket produce more than 2 million pounds of thrust. The four RS-25 engines fired for the final time during the Green Run hot fire test in the main stage at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, in March 2021. Credit: NASA/Robert Markowitz During the operation, the teams will practice loading liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the rocket’s core stage and temporary cryogenic propulsion stage. They will work to reach a steady state of replenishment for both propellants. The teams will confirm that the leak has been repaired. They will also perform the start-up bleed test and a pre-compression test to validate that the ground and flight hardware and software systems can perform the necessary functions required to thermally prepare the engines for flight. The teams will review the test results and develop strategies for the next launch opportunity after analyzing the data.
