NASA has successfully completed all ground tests of the SLS rocket and is preparing for the third launch attempt

The Pot Completed this Wednesday Kennedy Space CenterIn Florida, a series of tests The SLS rocket Unmanned mission Artemis I Although all the stated objectives were met, a liquid hydrogen leak was discovered.

“We have been able to achieve all the objectives we set. I am very excited about today’s test,” said the Artemis Eye launch manager. Charlie Blackwell-ThompsonAt the end of the callCryogenic demonstration test”.

Just after 10 a.m. local time, three hours after the tests began, missile controllers stopped loading liquid hydrogen into the rocket’s core for a few minutes.

20 cm plate filtration in the same area on 3rd September last Another liquid hydrogen leak was discovered This halted the mission’s takeoff, occurring as the process transitioned from slow refueling to rapid.

This directive pointed to the channel NASA TV The team was able to solve the problem with contingency mechanisms, which were useful in hypothetical similar cases in the future, and the hydrogen replenishment process could continue.

Looking forward to a tentative date for the next one September 27 to depart from Cape Canaveral (Florida, USA) of this unmanned mission to the Moon, Blackwell-Thompson He said it would be necessary to wait for analysis of the tests to determine whether changes to hydrogen loading practices are needed.

During the cryogenic demonstration test, the loading of liquid oxygen in the mid-section of the rocket was carried out without problems.

Among the objectives of Wednesday’s tests was to verify repairs made to the liquid hydrogen feed line where new seals were installed.

Missile controllers began slowly loading supercold liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the rocket’s main and intermediate stages.

Supercold liquid hydrogen allows the temperature of the four RS-25 engines to drop to a level suitable for takeoff. At the base of the 98-meter-tall rocket is the Orion capsule, the most powerful rocket ever built.

If the next release date is 27th of this month, The 70-minute release window opens at 11:37 local time. depart on that day, Orion shipThe rocket headed for the moon will return to Earth on November 5.

NASA is managing October 2nd as the second launch date If so, the Orion spacecraft will return on Nov. 11 with a 109-minute launch that opens at 2:52 p.m. local time.

The first launch attempt of Artemis I Happened on August 29, but was canceled for some reason Failure of one of the 4 RS-25 motors of the powerful SLS rocket with a height of 98 meters. A second attempt followed on September 3 and was suspended due to a liquid hydrogen leak.

PurposeHis first Artemis mission was to test the capabilities of the SLS and Orion spacecraft Ahead of a manned mission tentatively scheduled for 2024, a third will follow and the first time since 1972 that American astronauts, including a woman and a person of color, will step onto the lunar surface.

(with information from EFE)

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