NASA has once again postponed the launch of Artemis IITHE crewed lunar flyby missionsetting a new launch window for April. Although the launch date was tentatively set for March 6, the US space agency revealed that a problem with the rocket had caused a further delay.
According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the failure was due to an interruption in the flow of helium in the intermediate cryogenic propulsion stage of the Space Launch System (SLS). The helium flow is essential for purging engines and pressurizing fuel tanks. This system had worked correctly during the two dress rehearsals held this month, but the failure occurred during a routine operation.
Due to the nature of the problem, NASA engineers will have to resolve it from the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), so there is no way to continue the March launch window. The rocket is on its way to the hangar.
“I understand that people are disappointed by this development,” the manager said on his
Will Artemis II will be able to embark on mission in April? NASA said rapid preparations allowed it to potentially preserve the April launch window in the event of a reversal. It all depends on the data, the repair efforts and how the schedule plays out in the coming days.
Artemis II: the setbacks
The mission had its first launch window between February 6 and 11. However, during the wet dress rehearsal (WDR), which is a full rehearsal with fuel, the team detected small hydrogen leaks during refueling and some minor technical issues. After analyzing the situation, NASA concluded that the risk was considerable and could endanger the lives of the astronauts, so it decided to postpone the launch.
A second dress rehearsal, organized on February 19, was a success. In a statement, the space agency explained that it had loaded 700,000 gallons of liquid propellant without leaking. “During the test, teams closely monitored liquid hydrogen fueling operations, which had proven difficult in previous tests. Hydrogen gas concentrations remained below allowable limits, giving engineers confidence in new seals installed in an interface used to deliver fuel to the rocket,” NASA said.
At a subsequent press conference, mission representatives confirmed to the media that the new tentative takeoff date would be March 6. However, on February 20, the team failed to circulate helium through the vehicle, a failure that also occurred during testing of the Artemis I mission. Isaacman noted that the cause could be due to a faulty filter, valve or connector plate.
“There are many differences between the 1960s and today, and expectations should rightly be high after the time and expense invested in this program,” Isaacman said in his message. “I repeat, the President created Artemis as a program that will far exceed what America achieved during Apollo. We will return in the coming years, build a lunar base and undertake what are expected to be continuing missions to and from the lunar environment.”
When finally launched, the Orion capsule will travel further than any other manned spacecraft during its 10-day mission, surpassing on the sixth day the record of 400,171 kilometers set by Apollo 13. The return will end with Orion landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego, California.
Even though there will be no moon landing – that feat will go to the Artemis III mission – the second launch is of crucial importance. Its success will demonstrate that NASA has the technical capabilities necessary to return to the Moon and begin a new phase of space exploration.
This story was originally published in WIRED in spanish and was translated from Spanish.