NASA is transferring forward with plans for a second try and launch its next-generation rocket Friday, September 2nd, after an engine concern compelled the company to scrub today’s planned launch.
NASA halted the Artemis I launch try at roughly 8:34AM ET Monday, citing the failure of one of many Area Launch System (SLS) rocket’s 4 engines to achieve the suitable temperate. SLS is a key part of NASA’s Artemis program, which goals to ship people again to the Moon by 2025.
The subsequent try is scheduled for Friday, September 2nd, at roughly 12:48PM ET. Michael Sarafin, Artemis mission supervisor, mentioned that Friday is “undoubtedly in play” however famous that the company’s crew wants time to comb by the info earlier than making any determinations concerning the probability of a profitable launch.
“There’s a non-zero probability we’ll have a launch alternative on Friday,” Sarafin mentioned throughout a briefing with reporters. “We’re going to play all 9 innings right here. We’re not prepared to surrender but.”
NASA officers offered some extra context on the engine concern that led to in the present day’s launch getting scrubbed. The launch crew had bother getting one of many four RS-25 engines to the correct temperature for liftoff, which led to the choice to delay. Temperatures for the engines must register at 500 Rankine for a launch to be possible, Sarafin mentioned.
Picture by Joe Raedle/Getty Photos
“As soon as we bought by the propellant loading on the rocket, each on core stage and the higher stage, they began the engine bleed,” Sarafin mentioned. “We talked in our flight readiness evaluate concerning the engine bleed. We knew that that was a threat heading into this launch marketing campaign, and it will be the primary time demonstrating that efficiently.”
Sarafin mentioned that the engine must be at a “cryogenically cool temperature such that when it begins, it’s not shocked with all of the chilly gas that flows by it. So we wanted a bit further time to evaluate that.”
However officers cautioned that in the present day’s delay shouldn’t be considered as an engine malfunction however moderately a problem with the bleed system. The launch “by no means absolutely bought into the engine bleed” throughout a previous “wet dress rehearsal” of the rocket launch earlier this yr, Sarafin acknowledged, including that officers knew it may very well be a threat for in the present day’s launch.
Sarafin known as the final 48 hours “very dynamic,” together with a hydrogen leak that was shortly resolved and several lightning strikes on the towers holding up the SLS rocket. However requested whether or not the rocket could have to be “pushed again” from its place on the launch pad, officers demurred.
“That’s getting forward of our knowledge opinions, and we want the crew to get rested and are available again tomorrow,” Sarafin mentioned. “We’re going to do our greatest to see the place the info leads us and if we are able to resolve it operationally out on the pad.”
The subsequent few days might be essential for NASA because it examines all the info that contributed to in the present day’s delay. And within the run-up to the following two launch home windows, time might be working towards the company.
The subsequent try is scheduled for Friday, September 2nd, at roughly 12:48PM ET. If that launch is profitable, the mission will final 39 days, with the Orion crew capsule splashing down within the ocean on October eleventh. If it doesn’t launch then, a 3rd launch window will open on Monday, September fifth.
But when NASA determines that the rocket must be moved from the launchpad to the Car Meeting Constructing (VAB) at Kennedy Area Heart, these dates may very well be modified. Earlier than every launch, groups should absolutely take a look at the flight termination system, which is used to destroy the rocket if one thing goes catastrophically fallacious in the course of the launch, and that work can solely be executed contained in the VAB. That testing takes time, so if SLS is compelled to come back again to the VAB after rolling out in August, chances are high it wouldn’t be able to fly till late October.
Jim Free, affiliate administrator for NASA’s Exploration Methods Improvement, concluded with some recommendation for many who had been hoping to see a rocket launch in the present day, including Vice President Kamala Harris: “Plan a week-long trip in Florida, and also you would possibly see a launch.”
