NASA’s first new lunar rocket since the powerful Apollo-era Saturn V is back on the launch pad for a critical fuel test this month and you can watch live views now for free.
First Agency space launch system (SLS) megarocket, which is scheduled to launch unmanned Artemis 1 A mission to the Moon in August, on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida for a three-day refueling test that will begin June 18. Live views since then in KSC Newsroom YouTube (Opens in a new tab) Channel.
The SLS Artemis 1 missile fueling test, which NASA calls a “wet rehearsal,” is a critical test to ensure the agency can refuel the giant rocket for its launch and that its systems are ready for its planned trip to the moon. Artemis will launch 1 file Orion spacecraft About the moon as an unmanned sailing flight.
Live updates: NASA’s Artemis 1 moon mission
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“During testing, launch teams will rehearse operations to load propellant into the rocket’s tanks, perform a complete countdown to launch, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and deplete the tanks to give them a chance to practice the schedules and procedures they will use for launch,” NASA officials said at a statement (Opens in a new tab)Friday (10 June).
NASA tried to run the test in April a few times, but it was Unable to complete the entire procedure Due to fuel loading problems in the temporary coolant thrust phase of the rocket. They found that loose bolts led to hydrogen leakage in the secret lines between the stage and the SLS’ mobile launch platform. The on-stage helium check valve must also be replaced.
NASA said engineers have since fixed these issues and are ready to try again to test refueling.
“Training is the final test required prior to launch and will begin at 5 p.m. EST on Saturday, June 18 with ‘Connect Stations,’ when members of the launch control team arrive at their consoles to begin the approximately two-day countdown,” the agency said in a statement. Statement. If all goes well, NASA will fully fuel the Artemis 1 lunar rocket on June 20.
NASA will hold a press conference on Wednesday (June 15) to discuss the start of the June 18 wetsuit rehearsal test. The June 20 broadcast will show live views fed into it (which NASA calls “the tank”) starting at 7 a.m. EDT (1100 GMT), with the target’s test window opening at 2:40 p.m. EDT ( 1840 GMT).
The space agency will hold a follow-up press conference on June 21 at 11 a.m. EDT (1500 GMT) to discuss the test results.
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