Officials halted the initial countdown to a Saturday, Sept. 3 launch after discovering a hydrogen leak at a quick disconnect, an interface between the hydrogen fuel supply line on the mobile launcher and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
Artemis seals
NASA says engineers are “making progress in repairing the area.” Specifically, teams have replaced seals on the Space Launch System rocket’s center stage associated with the leak. A line used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the core stage and a vent line used to redirect some of the propellant during tank operations were removed and replaced this week. Arriving, Nasa says, technicians will reattach the umbilical plates and carry out inspections before preparing for a tank demonstration (Saturday 17 September). This will allow engineers to test the new seals under cryogenic conditions, as expected on launch day. “Although Artemis I will not have a human crew, senior leadership emphasized the importance of thoroughly testing and understanding the systems to ensure the safety of future astronauts who will be based on SLS, the Orion spacecraft and ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center for later Artemis missions’. “To replace the seal on the quick disconnect, technicians have created a tent-like enclosure around the work area that protects the material from weather and other environmental conditions. After the repair work is completed, the teams will test the seal under the same conditions it will face during launch and evaluate plans for the next launch attempt.” More information about the Artemis I mission can be found on the Nasa website. See also: Masten XL-1 lunar lander to prepare for human landings on the Moon
