LAKI 4/5/2022
https://laki.eu.org/2022/04/05/nasa-hits-new-hurdle-with-artemis-test-at-kennedy-space-center-could-threaten-axiom-mission/Credit: CC0 Public Domain
NASA hits new hurdle with Artemis test at Kennedy Space Center, could threaten Axiom mission
NASA tried to complete the Artemis moon rocket tank test at the Kennedy Space Center after a problem forced a scrub on Sunday, but a new valve problem forced mission managers to recall it.
NASA officials had already pulled the plug on Sunday in the tank test of the fully integrated Space Launch System rocket and the Orion capsule on KSC’s Launch Pad 39-B, when it could not hold the mobile launcher in which the material is under safe pressure. .
This problem was mitigated overnight, but Monday’s retry attempt also failed in its goal of filling and draining both the core and the upper stage of the rocket with 730,000 gallons of supercooled hydrogen and liquid oxygen.
NASA teams were able to resolve a series of issues Monday with the loading of liquid oxygen (LOX), but were eventually prevented from loading the liquid hydrogen by a vent valve, also located on the mobile launcher, which supplied pressure at the core stage. of the rocket.
“Because of the vent valve problem, the launcher stopped testing for the day,” a post on NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems tweeted. “The team is getting ready to get rid of the LOX and will start discussing how fast the vehicle can turn for the next attempt. Lots of learning and progress today.”
Already the delay of the weekend had created a domino effect that pushed the political launch of Axiom Space on the International Space Station no earlier than Friday.
However, this mission, which lies between NASA’s Artemis reservoir test and a scheduled SpaceX crew launch for NASA later this month, could run into problems with its target launch opportunities.
“The idea is to go ahead and fly this flight,” said Michael Suffredini, President and CEO of Axiom Space. “The Commercial Crew-4 for the ISS is right behind us. And so we are working closely with the ISS to take off our flight before we have to stop for the Crew-4, and they will work with us on that as well.”
It is currently targeting Friday at 11:17 a.m., but could be rescheduled if KSC-priority managers at KSC prepare for another tank test.
“We will work together — SpaceX, NASA and Axiom will work together to figure out where they would like to put the wet dress for the SLS, given our launch opportunities,” Suffredini said.
The four Axiom passengers, three who paid $ 55 million each plus a former NASA astronaut, remain in quarantine at the KSC ahead of their scheduled 10-day mission called the Ax-1.
The Ax-1 crew plans to board for eight days, conducting dozens of scientific experiments and enjoying the view, but will need to be evacuated in time for NASA’s Crew-4 flight, scheduled for March 20 at the earliest.
The unmanned launch of Artemis to the moon, meanwhile, will not take place until NASA officials review the data from the tank test. The rocket will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building just over a week after the completion of the tank test, and then, depending on any problems from the test, NASA will set up a target launch window.
Previously announced possible boot windows were June 6-16 and June 29-July 12.
