NASA's test of its moon-bound Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is due to recommence on April 9, the space agency has said.
The test of the SLS had to be postponed on Monday after engineers encountered a problem during the fueling process. That followed an earlier delay on Sunday after teams encountered a loss of the ability to pressurize the mobile launcher.
Referred to as a wet dress rehearsal, the test involved a practice launch countdown in which ground launch systems and the rocket itself was powered up before being filled up with liquid fuel—hence the "wet" part of the name.
The practice launch was supposed to run all the way within seconds of when the rocket would normally take off before being canceled to create a scenario in which a real-life launch had to be scrubbed.
However, before the test could get that far the launch teams encountered a problem during fuelling on Monday that prevented a pressure valve from working correctly. The purpose of the valve was to relieve pressure from the core stage of the rocket. The wet dress rehearsal was called off while teams investigated the issue.
In a media briefing earlier this week, NASA's Artemis mission project manager Mike Sarafin confirmed that the test would have to wait until after Friday as SpaceX was in a line to launch a rocket of its own as part of the Ax-1 mission.
Then, on Wednesday, NASA announced that the wet dress rehearsal would begin once again at 5 p.m. ET on April 9 and is set to conclude at 2:40 p.m. ET on April 11.
It's expected that this test run will be quicker than usual since teams already gained insight and completed objectives on the previous test run, including configuring ground support equipment. Real-time updates are being published through NASA's Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account.
After the wet dress rehearsal is complete, SLS will be transported off the launch pad and back into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center to undergo additional inspections.
The rocket will not be seen outside the VAB again until an actual launch takes place—a mission called Artemis I that will take place later this year.
Artemis I will be the much anticipated first flight of SLS that will see the rocket deliver its Orion capsule on a journey around the moon and back. The main goal is the safe return and recovery of the Orion capsule which will not be crewed.
The mission will also see the delivery of 10 small satellites that will perform their own investigations. Overall, NASA hopes that Artemis I will demonstrate the capability for further manned spaceflight missions to the moon and beyond, starting with Artemis II, the first crewed flight.
Artemis I is expected to launch no earlier than late May 2022, according to Space.com.
Uncommon Knowledge
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