On April 1, NASA launched one of the crucial tests for the Artemis 1 lunar mission. But the so-called wet test ended up having to be stopped. It will resume this Saturday (9), at the Kennedy Space Center, in Florida, at 6:00 p.m. (Brasilia time). If everything goes as planned, the test ends on Monday (11).
After a series of problems in the wet test, the American space agency had to put aside to devote itself to the launch of the private mission Ax-1, on a nearby platform. The latter arrives at the International Space Station (ISS) also this Saturday.
With the Ax-1 having arrived safely at the orbiting lab, NASA can now refocus on Artemis 1. If all goes according to plan, the test will reach refueling for the giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket within a second.
The team will perform several practice countdowns, including a simulated launch time at 3:40 p.m. ET, also on April 11. Finally, the wet test ends with the propellant draining activities of the SLS tanks.
Problem during the previous test
Teams encountered a problem maintaining helium bleed pressure in the upper stage engine after changing a regulator on the mobile launcher during the previous test earlier this month. The NASA statement pointed out that the RL10 engine in this part also uses gas to activate the valves during the test.
“After initial troubleshooting, the team has restored normal helium purging and continues to work to determine the cause of a helium flow restriction,” read a statement on the agency’s website. spatial. If necessary, the management team meets on Sunday (10) to make the necessary adjustments to the procedures, or modify the objectives of the test.
After passing the wet test, the SLS and Orion pod are returned to the vehicle assembly building. Engineers will inspect flight systems to better assess.
Artemis 1 will be the first of the Artemis lunar program, which is expected to put humanity back on the Moon. In this initial mission, the Orion capsule travels uncrewed to Earth’s natural satellite, for about a month. It is expected to launch in June.
If all goes well on Artemis 1, the Artemis 2 mission will send astronauts on a similar project around the Moon in 2024. So, in 2025 or 2026, Artemis 3 will land astronauts near the lunar south pole.
Via: space / NASA
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