NASA - The agency remains to be wanting to have its own rocket ship. They have been raising funds from different programs both private and government agencies. In fact, they have entered into an agreement with SpaceX and Boeing to produce a number of space capsules for their planned manned missions to space. But above all these, the space agency still wishes they had their own pricey rocket, the Space Launch System, to be able to race against the finish line.
With the number of delays in the project that seemed to have piled up, NASA has apparently considered skipping an important step in the process of the development of their own rocket. The "Green Run" is what experts call the test that will look into the core engines of the space capsules as well as the rocket to ensure its utmost safety and preparedness to be out there. But with further thought on the project, the agency has decided not to skip the test and to simply stick to their original plan.
As Space News announces, Jim Bridenstine, the NASA Administrator, said that the test might not really be necessary before the SLS project could really move forward. There have been several discussions made on the table to discuss whether to go about the testing of these equipment is necessary or not. However, in the last minute before the decision has been made final, an update from the space agency says that the "Green Run" will push through and that it is to proceed as previously planned.
"The acceptance of the "Green Run" test gives NASA the confidence it needs knowing that the first stages of the study has been thoroughly conducted and is found clear. The core of the equipment will be checked and it will become fairly easy to conduct the rest again and again until experts find that they already have the data they need," said Lisa Bates, the SLS deputy stages Manager explained in a statement.
Back in March of this year, Biridenstine noted that individual testing of equipment might be needed to get to the core and that a full-static test might be needed too. It is hard to know how these mandated tests may be conducted as the fast-tracked mission to the moon needs to be met by 2021. Whoever, within the agency, says that an SLS test is no longer necessary clearly lost the battle.
The test has yet to be officially scheduled. This proves that NASA is falling a bit short in meeting the deadlines set on the projects. However, the coming months will really be difficult, but it is totally worth it.
