NASA delays Artemis I’s launch for a second time
A hydrogen leak caused another delay
By Mitchell Clark Sep 3, 2022, 11:19am EDT
https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/3/23327972/nasa-artemis-i-sls-second-delayNASA has once again scrubbed the launch of its Space Launch System (or SLS) rocket after engineers failed to fix a persistent hydrogen leak.
The hydrogen leak was first noticed this morning, soon after the rocket began being fueled with liquid hydrogen. The team made three troubleshooting attempts, but a leak was detected after each effort to fix the problem. After the third time, engineers recommended that the launch be a ‘no go’.
The SLS is meant to be one of the workhorses of NASA’s Artemis program, and is tasked with launching the Orion crew capsule that will hopefully ferry astronauts to the moon.
The agency also scrubbed the previous launch attempt of the SLS, which was supposed to happen on August 29th, citing issues with the engine bleed system meant to help the engines get to a proper temperature before takeoff. A hydrogen leak was also detected during that launch attempt.
NASA has another launch window left — from 5:12 PM to 6:42 PM on September 5th — before it faces a major delay. The flight termination system that’s meant to keep the rocket from becoming a dangerous missile if something goes very wrong during launch needs to be re-tested relatively frequently (it’s supposed to be every 20 days, but NASA got that extended to 25 days), and that testing can’t be done on the launch pad.
More at link.