NASA has patched an area of its next-generation Space Launch System (SLS) rocket where a liquid hydrogen leak was detected during the Sept. 3 Artemis I launch attempt.
Engineers last week removed and replaced(Opens in a new window) the 8-inch line used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the core stage, as well as a 4-inch bleed line responsible for a smaller leak during the Aug. 29 launch attempt.
Following a technical inspection over the weekend, NASA plans to conduct a tanking operation as soon as Saturday, Sept. 17—during which teams will practice loading all 736,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen required for a regular rocket flight.
“This demonstration will allow engineers to check the new seals under cryogenic, or super cold, conditions as expected on launch day and before proceeding to the next launch attempt,” according to an agency announcement.
Initially scheduled for takeoff on Aug. 29, the event was postponed due to an engine bleed issue; a second attempt on Sept. 3 was also canceled after teams were unable to “fix an issue related to a leak in the hardware transferring fuel into the rocket.”
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Once the leak’s repair has been confirmed, engineers will run a series of tests to ensure ground and flight hardware and software can perform as required, evaluating data as well as plans for the next launch opportunity. NASA on Thursday tipped(Opens in a new window) a possible Sept. 23 takeoff (landing on Oct. 18), with Sept. 27 (landing on Nov. 5) as a backup. It’s unclear whether this week’s fueling test will affect either date.
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