Don’t worry if it is canceled missile launch space launch system (SLS) for mission Artemis 1 straight to the moon. to reassure Giorgio Sacuccia, President of the Italian Space Agency (Asi), which explains how these tests should be considered for failure”NormalIt has already happened with the Apollo program which, like every launch before landing on the moon, was preceded by preliminary tests. «What has been adopted is a sequential approach to it. Each step helps in identifying problems, identifying difficulties and overcoming themScotchi explains. The Artemis 1 mission temporarily failed due to a liquid hydrogen leak in one of the links along the fuel loading line between the rocket’s central stage and the mobile launcher. Three attempts by technicians, but there was nothing to do. launch manager permission Charlie Blackwell Thompson He gave the order to cancel the departure. The president of ASI explains that this loss of liquid hydrogen is also normal. “It is easy to imagine the complexity of having to fill such a large tank, like that of an SLS rocket, with propellant capable of creating heat shock. It is a very complicated procedure.”
real criticality
According to Saccoccia, the real importance now will be to determine “the time required for new technical interventions, taking into accountNASA hypothesis of returning the rocket to the assembly building» Vab (Vehicle Assembly Building) of the Kennedy Space Center. This final transformation is due to the fact that NASA decided not to use a ramp with a large chassis for on-site interventions, and therefore for more complex modifications, it becomes necessary to switch to the Vab. If this is done, it will require the path from the launch pad to the Vab eight hoursreports the expert, who, however, determines that now”Well proven procedureIf it was decided to start it, it would be “to understand the reasons for the loss of thrust that occurred at the interface between the liquid hydrogen loading system and the launcher,” explains Saccoccia. In the event of the first hydrogen leak, which led to the mission being canceled for the first time, technicians “attempted to intervene on site. To believe it was enough.” With the second leak, they agreed that more in-depth work was needed, most likely by replacing some components of the SLS missile, such as the installation where the leak occurred.
NASA meets to decide on upcoming dates
In the next few hours, Artemis 1 managers will meet to decide how to proceed. At the moment, the possibility seems to be Third launch attempt on Monday 5th or Tuesday 6th September, unless – as explained by Saccoccia – it was decided to move the missile to the Vab assembly building. In that case, the new launch will come Go to late September or late October. To say he is the principal administrator of NASA, Bill Nelsonin an interview day NASA TV. “Possible periods range from September 19 to October 4 and from October 17 to October 31,” he said, explaining that these are just tests aimed at “bringing humans safely to the moon.”
Article updated at 10:20 PM with typo
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