NASA’s big rocket faces its last test before launching

[smp]

From Ars Technica:
"After two weeks of preparatory work on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center, NASA is ready to put its large new rocket and its complex plumbing system to the test. This will be the final major rehearsal before the space agency declares that, after 11 long years and tens of billions of dollars in development costs, the Space Launch System is finally ready to fly."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04 ... launching/

I loved this line:
"I would be really surprised, in a pleasant way, if the test went off without a hitch, ..."

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[Unitron48]

Here's hoping for the best outcome! I'm looking forward to the day when we get back to the Moon!!

Dave

[helicon]

Hope everything is a go. Thanks for posting the link Stephen.

[goldstar]

I remember the palpitations I had when the Saturn V first launched back in the 60's. I really could not believe how the thing stood there without collapsing under its own weight!
And then when it launched, just counting the minutes before stage separations was agonizing. Well done Werner...
I'll have the same anxieties when when the SLS flies.
GO SLS GO !

[KathyNS]

I still don't like the idea of humans riding solid rocket boosters. If something goes wrong with one of them, you have to ride it until it burns out. Sure, solid rockets are reliable, but still... The one thing that mitigates that is that, on this spacecraft, unlike the shuttle, the astronauts are up at the pointy end with an escape rocket.

I hope all goes well on the test and when they launch for real.

[smp]

Here's an update from Space.com:
"NASA calls off critical Artemis 1 moon rocket test over safety concerns"
"The agency will try again on Monday (April 4)."

https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-mo ... test-scrub

And, from SpaceNews.com:
"NASA scrubs first attempt at SLS countdown rehearsal"

https://spacenews.com/nasa-scrubs-first ... rehearsal/

And, from SpaceFlightNow.com:
"NASA plans to try again Monday to load super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen into the fully-stacked Space Launch System moon rocket. A fueling attempt was scrubbed Sunday due to a ground system issue at the Kennedy Space Center. The cryogenic tanking operation is part of a full-up countdown dress rehearsal ahead of the launch of unpiloted Artemis 1 moon mission."

https://spaceflightnow.com

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[Unitron48]

Looks like they are proceeding today: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/. Hoping for the best!!

Dave

[Makuser]

Hi Stephen. Thanks for the update on the Artemis 1 launch test. This is one huge rocket, so we all hope for success so we can move forward with our moon missions.

[Unitron48]

Looks like they are proceeding today: https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/. Hoping for the best!!

Dave

"The countdown for the wet dress rehearsal has resumed at 10:52 a.m. EDT and clocks have picked back up at T-6 hours, 40 minutes on the clock (L-7 hours, 10 minutes). A new planned T-0 of 6:02 p.m. has been established."

Dave

[smp]

Update from SpaceFlightNow.com:
"04/04/2022 17:07
NASA has called off the Artemis 1 countdown dress rehearsal due to an issue with a vent valve. The launch team will offload liquid oxygen from the core stage and discuss when they will make another attempt to load cryogenic propellants into the rocket."

https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/04/03/s ... us-center/

"04/04/2022 17:42
NASA says the SLS core stage liquid oxygen tank was about half-full when the launch team decided to call off the Artemis 1 wet dress rehearsal for the rest of the day."

"04/04/2022 18:22
The countdown clock at the Kennedy Space Center has recycled back to T-minus 43 hours. The next attempt for the Artemis 1 countdown dress rehearsal is likely at least several days away."

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[smp]

Here's another article from CNN:
"NASA's Artemis I mega moon rocket test stopped for second time"

https://www.cnn.com/2022/04/04/world/na ... index.html

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[smp]

Here's the latest from Ars Technica:
"NASA to restart fueling test of SLS rocket, with key modifications"

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04 ... fications/

Here's hoping for the best!

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[smp]

From Space.com:
"NASA scaling back Artemis 1 moon mission test due to faulty valve"

https://www.space.com/nasa-scaling-back ... ssion-test

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[smp]

And, from SpaceNews.com:
"NASA defends decision to proceed with modified SLS countdown test"

https://spacenews.com/nasa-defends-deci ... down-test/

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[helicon]

It's too bad there have been these snafus, hope the situation is rectified soon.

[smp]

From SpaceFlightNow.com:
"NASA trying again today to complete Artemis 1 countdown test"

https://spaceflightnow.com/2022/04/14/a ... us-center/

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[smp]

From the Ars Technica Rocket Report:

"NASA scrubs third SLS wet dress attempt. At 3 pm ET (19:00 UTC) on Thursday NASA stood down from its latest attempt to fuel the Space Launch System rocket after an issue with a hydrogen leak. Prior to ending the test, NASA said the core stage liquid oxygen tank was 49 percent full, and the liquid hydrogen tank just 5 percent full. The engineering teams at Kennedy Space Center now need to evaluate the leak in the liquid hydrogen tail service mast on the Mobile Launcher.

Test stretches into third week ... NASA is expected to update the media on Friday about its plans for moving forward. In truth, Thursday's test did not get much further than last week, when NASA filled about half of the liquid oxygen tank, and none of the liquid hydrogen tank. Delays with new ground systems and a new rocket are inevitable, but NASA has to be disappointed that we are now on day 14 of what was originally scheduled to be a two-day test."

Ars Technical publishes this report every Friday - folks can subscribe to get an e-mail copy on Thursday afternoon.

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[smp]

From Ars Technica:
"NASA to roll back its mega rocket after failing to complete countdown test"

"... The decision comes after three tries during the last two weeks. Each fueling attempt was scuttled by one or more technical issues with the rocket, its mobile launch tower, or ground systems that supply propellants and gases. ..."

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/04 ... down-test/

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[helicon]

Well, continuing problems. Thanks for the update Stephen.

[Richard]

I am not that familiar with the SLS project all I know is that its a 'cheaper' way to go back to the moon ? , amazing then we managed in the 70's now 50 odd years later they have problems