Next Artemis I Moon Mission Launch Attempt set for September 3 by NASA

Next Artemis I Moon Mission Launch Attempt set for September 3 by NASA, Read Details... Artemis 1 / Next launch date 3 September 2022

The first integrated test of NASA’s Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Artemis I, is scheduled to launch on Saturday, September 3 at 2:17 p.m. EDT, the beginning of a two-hour window.

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During a meeting on Tuesday, mission management discussed data and created a forward plan to address issues that arose during the flight test's attempted launch on August 29. Click here to read details

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According to NASA SLS program manager, John Honeycutt, the hydrogen bleed is intended to cool the four RS-25 engines to about minus 420 degrees Fahrenheit (–420°F), i.e., minus 250 degrees Celsius (–250°C).

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But teams were unable to chill the 4 RS-25 engines to –250°C during that launch attempt, with engine 3 showing higher temperatures than the other engines.

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According to temperature sensors inside the engines, three engines of them; engines #1, #2, and #4 got as cold as about –245°C, but engine #3 was only at about –230°C or –382°F.

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Additionally, teams also noticed a hydrogen leak on the purge can (a component of the tail service mast umbilical quick disconnect), and manually adjusted the propellant flow rates to manage the leak.

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According to John Honeycutt, one reason for the difference could be an issue with the sensor in the engine rather than the flow of liquid hydrogen into the engine.

They are a little bit concerned about one of those sensors because they are seeing "good, cold liquid hydrogen" being expelled out of the engine.

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Later in the briefing, he stated, "We understand the physics about hydrogen performs. The behavior of the sensor doesn't line up with the physics of the situation."

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To review data and overall readiness, the mission management team will meet again on Thursday.

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According to Blackwell-Thompson, replacing the sensor while the SLS is on the launch pad is "likely not ideal", and couldn’t be done before the current launch period ends September 6.

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Bad weather can prevent a launch on September 3, even if technical issues are resolved.

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NASA's Artemis I Moon Rocket had already arrived at launch pad 39B on August 17, 2022. Click here to read in detail

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