NASA engineers have made the final preparations on Sunday, November 13, to start a new countdown for Artemis I's Moon launch on Wednesday, November 16.
This week's launch will be the third attempt to get the $4.1 billion Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft into space for an uncrewed maiden spaceflight.
NASA Managers Review Preparations for Artemis I Launch
CBS News reports that the multiple delays caused by leaks in the hydrogen fuel tanks and the nail-biting brush with Typhoon Nicole last week, NASA managers met. They reviewed launch preparations and the team's readiness to start the 47-hour 40-minute countdown with the tradition of call to stations at 1:24 am EST on Monday, November 14.
The launch team will begin pumping 750,000 gallons of supercold liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel into the rocket's tanks starting at 4 pm on Monday if all goes well. Then by Tuesday, they would use kinder and gentler techniques to control temperatures and minimize sharp pressure increases to prevent leakage in critical seals.
On the other hand, engineers will have two hours to resolve any problems that may show up before the launch window closes. But so far, the weather is a 50% go and the four shuttle main engines as well as the extended strap-on solid-fuel boosters of the 322-foot-tall SLS rocket should finally roar to life at 1:04 am on Wednesday, opening a new era for American space flight.
The SLS rocket is the largest ever built by the American space agency and is the centerpiece for the Artemis program that aims to send back astronauts to the Moon after many decades. The uncrewed spaceflight of Artemis I will measure the cosmic radiation that astronauts might face while traveling from Earth to the Moon and inform future space missions.
Leaving Artemis I Outside Is an Expensive Gamble
Earlier this month, Spaceflight Now reported that NASA has started rolling out SLS and Orion spacecraft for the upcoming launch of the Artemis I Moon rocket. However, Typhoon Nicole caused its delay and threatened Artemis I.
The recent review of NASA managers was to assess and prepare Artemis I after the storm. They sought to answer questions of possible damage, and how long will repairs take if there are any. The new two-hour launch window on Wednesday will give a new chance for NASA to launch Artemis I this year, although there is a backup launch window available in November should it fail again.
Initial inspections showed minor damage to Artemis I, specifically the loose caulk and tears in weather coverings. NASA announced that they will be making minor repairs and continue preparing for the next launch attempt.
The space agency made a call to leave the Artemis I on the pad as it was the safest option for the launch hardware. They also noted that adjusting the launch date will give the team to go back to their families and homes, and provide sufficient logistical time to get back into launch status after the storm. They have sent employees to the Kennedy Space Center during the storm to monitor conditions.
But NASA's Office of Inspector General said that leaving it outside will be an expensive gamble given that the mission costs an estimated $4.1 billion not to mention the time and effort put into it. They have powered down components of SLS and Orion, secured hatches, and checked for debris that could go flying.
RELATED ARTICLE : NASA Might Launch Artemis I Mission This November With the Goal of Measuring Cosmic Radiation Astronauts Could Face
Check out more news and information on Artemis Program in Science Times.
