Artemis Launch

[pakarinen]

I plan on watching the NASA live feed.

[SkyHiker]

Delayed again - a fuel leak.

[Frankskywatcher]

Delayed again - a fuel leak.

I swear they are never gonna get that thing off the ground, they should just go with dragon x and get it over with!

[Makuser]

Yep, scrubbed again due to another hydrogen fuel leakage problem. Here is a report from Space.com with more information and the possible next launch attempt date:
https://www.space.com/artemis-1-launch- ... rogen-leak

[helicon]

Oh boy. Gotta be patient. I was getting excited, too.

[Frankskywatcher]

Oh boy. Gotta be patient. I was getting excited, too.

Remind me of the ketchup commercial with the song by Carly Simon anticipation is keeping me waiting

[yobbo89]

mission scrubbed again ?

[SkyHiker]

It could be in October if it has to go back inside. Without anticipating unexpected failures, I presume.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technolo ... 7#comments

[Unitron48]

This is disappointing. That's all I'll put in print...for now

Dave

[pakarinen]

Any takers on a friendly wager Musk will be on the moon before NASA?

[helicon]

That might happen. SpaceX executes on their projects, some of the other NASA contractors, not so much.

[KathyNS]

That might happen. SpaceX executes on their projects, some of the other NASA contractors, not so much.

SpaceX got to where it is by launching anyway. Sure they blew up a lot of rockets , but they work now.

[bobharmony]

For those of us who lived through the Mercury program and its successors, delays in launch are part of normal expectations. The decision is between waiting a length of time or taking the risk of blowing up a $4B rocket to satisfy peoples expectations of instant gratification. Since there is only one test scheduled before the launch of the actual mission (I question the wisdom of that decision) I think it wise to err on the side of caution. Relax and enjoy the ride when it happens.

Bob

[SkyHiker]

For those of us who lived through the Mercury program and its successors, delays in launch are part of normal expectations. The decision is between waiting a length of time or taking the risk of blowing up a $4B rocket to satisfy peoples expectations of instant gratification. Since there is only one test scheduled before the launch of the actual mission (I question the wisdom of that decision) I think it wise to err on the side of caution. Relax and enjoy the ride when it happens.

Bob

I am disappointed that they do not land an unmanned vehicle on the moon resembling the entire intended manned landing, given how much more computer and communication power we have today. A 1 second delay, 2 seconds round trip, should make it possible, or even autonomous with AI. There's not much to lose but a lot to be gained.

[DEnc]

Here's some interesting context for the many scrubs:--

https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/09 ... -hydrogen/

[helicon]

That might happen. SpaceX executes on their projects, some of the other NASA contractors, not so much.

SpaceX got to where it is by launching anyway. Sure they blew up a lot of rockets , but they work now.

Very true. They were willing to let their rockets explode and learn from what went wrong.

[SkyHiker]

The main Nasa pages are as clear as mud about the launch but this blog page says the early September window is abandoned.

[smp]

From the Ars Technica Rocket Report:
"NASA working toward September Artemis I launch. In an update with reporters on Thursday, NASA officials said that if everything goes well they will target the dates of September 23 or 27 for their next attempt to launch the Artemis I mission on the Space Launch System rocket. The agency's second attempt to launch the SLS rocket was scrubbed on September 3 after a hydrogen line sprang a leak where it connects to the rocket. A lot has to go right to make those dates, said NASA's chief of exploration systems development, Jim Free. For example, NASA is working to repair the leak in a "quick-disconnect" where the hydrogen line attaches to the rocket.
Waivers sought ... After this repair, the agency will attempt a fueling test no earlier than September 17, during which they will load the core stage and the upper stage with liquid hydrogen and oxygen propellants to ensure they have adequately fixed the hydrogen leak. Additionally, the agency has also submitted a waiver request to the Eastern Range, which is operated by the US Space Force. NASA needs a waiver on battery re-test requirements for the rocket's "flight termination system," which would be activated in case of a problem during launch. Range officials previously granted a waiver extension from 20 to 25 days, but this would extend that beyond 40 days. Should the repairs fail, or the waiver not be granted, the rocket would roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building and launch no earlier than October 17, and possibly not until November."

smp

[helicon]

Thanks for the update Stephen. Fingers crossed.

[Frankskywatcher]

Any takers on a friendly wager Musk will be on the moon before NASA?

I would certainly be an interesting bet!
At the rate it’s going it looks like he will beat them to it this is just join forces!