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