Probably, it is not worth waiting for the launch of the mission in the near future.
NASA representatives stated that to correct problems with fuel system of the Artemis launch vehicle, due to which its launch was canceled on September 3, may take several weeks. Probably, the rocket will even be removed from the launch pad, according to Space.com.
The liquid hydrogen leak was detected early Saturday morning as NASA tried to refuel its giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which was supposed to send the craft on its journey to orbit the moon. Despite three separate attempts to fix the leak, engineers were unable to complete the task and eventually decided to stop to assess the situation.
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Based on this, as well as taking into account the repair work, the rocket of the “Artemis” mission will stay on the ground for at least another two weeks. According to Jim Free, NASA's deputy administrator for exploration systems development, the launch will not take place in the nearest window, which closes on September 6.
Artemis will now have to wait until the next window, which opens on September 16, and will be open until October 4. However, there is a possibility that the launch will be carried out even later in October, in the period from the 17th to the 31st.
The first attempt to launch Artemis took place on August 29. It was then canceled because the mission team noticed that one of the RS-25 engines mounted on the SLS first stage was not cooling properly. Analysis showed that the problem was in the temperature sensor, so the launch was postponed to September 3.
At the same time, the mission team successfully eliminated the hydrogen leak, but the one recorded on September 3 was different and stronger. According to Artemis mission manager Mark Sarafin, “it was impossible to deal with this leak.” He added that due to the leak, the level of flammable hydrogen gas near the rocket several times exceeded the permissible values.
The Artemis-1 mission involves the first flight of both the rocket and the Orion lunar capsule, built under NASA contracts. with Boeing and Lockheed Martin Corp.
The mission is named after a goddess who was the twin sister of Apollo (the name of the first American lunar mission). It is assumed that “Artemis” should be the renewal of the lunar program with the landing of American astronauts on the surface of the natural satellite of the Earth.
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The mission is planned for 2025, although many experts believe that the time frame will probably shift.< /p>
