Aerospace

NASA’s Artemis 1 Launch Live Updates: NASA to attempt the launch of Artemis 1 moon mission today

NASA to attempt the launch of Artemis 1 moon mission today after many delays

The Artemis 1 mission will launch on November 16 after being approved by NASA engineers. On November 16, a two-hour launch window beginning at 1.04 AM EST (11.34 AM IST) will see the launch of the Artemis 1 stack, which consists of the Orion spacecraft and the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket, from Launch Complex 39B of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

NASA Orders Three More Orion Spacecraft From Lockheed Martin(Opens in a new browser tab)

Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks in the core stage have been filled, however a leak in the liquid hydrogen “replenish” valve occurred when the upper stage was being fuelled. A “red crew,” assembled by the NASA launch team, was able to stop the leak by tightening nuts on the valve. The red crew has received particular training to perform tasks inside and close to a tanked launch vehicle.

The 'red crew' at @NASAKennedy heading out to the rocket on the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B. pic.twitter.com/1EImA7Z6ER

— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022

After the leak was rectified, the launch director was informed by NASA’s Range Flight Safety team that the mission is a “no-go” because one of the launch-related assets is down. The team diagnosed the problem and came to the conclusion that an unreliable Ethernet switch was to blame.

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Originally slated to launch on November 14, the Artemis 1 mission had to be delayed due to tropical storm Nicole. The Orion spacecraft and SLS rocket were left at the launch facility to weather the storm and sustained minor damage as a result. According to NASA, some caulk (sealant) on Orion’s launch abort system broke loose during the storm. In addition, engineers may need to replace an electrical connector on the hydrogen umbilical cord since they are getting erratic data from it.

In the meantime, on November 16 at 10.30 PM ET, the launch broadcast will begin (9 AM IST on November 16).

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Aerospace

When Ratan Tata was denied entry to the airfield at the Aero India show, he waited

During our visit to Aero India 2019, we had the unexpected opportunity to see Ratan Tata at the event, which was a thrilling moment for us. However, there was a surprising hiccup when the security staff didn’t allow him to enter due to a lack of a security pass.

Despite this, he remained calm and patiently waited for about 20 minutes until a member of the Tata team brought him the required pass, after which he calmly proceeded inside. It was a humbling sight, showcasing his composed demeanor even in such situations.

Ratan Tata ji is not only a renowned industrialist but also a trained pilot, holding a pilot’s license. In 2007, he became the first Indian civilian to fly the F-16 Falcon during the Aero India show in Bangalore—a proud moment for the nation.

His passion for aviation extended beyond flying, as he played a key role in shaping India’s aerospace industry. Under his leadership, Tata ventured into manufacturing and maintaining aerospace components while upholding its legacy of quality. Notably, Tata’s collaboration with Airbus to develop and manufacture the C295 aircraft is a testament to its growing influence in the sector.