As teams continue to fuel the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s core stage with liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2), teams have been given a go to begin propellant loading operations for the rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS). The ICPS is the upper stage of the rocket responsible for giving the Orion spacecraft the …
Teams continue to troubleshoot a liquid hydrogen leak at the mating interface with the core stage. After manually chilling down the liquid hydrogen as part of troubleshooting efforts, they are in fast fill operations.
During the transition from slow fill of liquid hydrogen into the Space Launch System rocket’s core stage to fast fill operations, launch controllers saw a spike in the amount of hydrogen that is allowed to leak into the purge can, a housing covering the tail service mast umbilical’s quick disconnect, or mating interface with the …
After chilling the lines for liquid oxygen (LOX) and beginning with slow fill of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s core stage, the team has now transitioned to LOX fast fill. Teams have also completed chilldown of the liquid hydrogen (LH2) lines and started LH2 slow fill.
Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson has given the “go” to officially begin loading propellants into the Space Launch System rocket. The launch weather officer now reports there are no indication of lightning within five nautical miles of Launch Pad 39B. Tanking begins with chilldown of the core stage liquid oxygen transfer line. NASA TV coverage …
The launch team is ready to begin loading propellant into the rocket, but they are holding due to a small weather cell that is producing lighting. Weather criteria for tanking stipulate that the probability of lightning must not exceed 20% in the first hour of tanking. The team is prepared to proceed with tanking as soon as …
The Artemis I Mission Management Team has given the “go” to proceed toward tanking operations. Weather conditions remain 80% favorable at the beginning of the two-hour launch window which opens at 8:33 a.m. EDT Aug. 29, with chances for rain showers increasing toward the later part of the window. Artemis I launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson …
The Space Launch System rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) has been powered up, the NASA test director has given the “go” for booster power up, and all non-essential personnel have left the launch pad area in preparation for propellant loading operations. At 10:53 p.m. EDT, or L-9 hours, 40 minutes, the launch team is …
Overnight engineers evaluated data from lightning strikes to the lightning protection system at Launch Pad 39B that occurred yesterday. They confirmed the strikes were of low magnitude and had no impacts to Space Launch System, Orion, or ground systems. Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 predict an 80% chance of favorable …
As the Artemis I countdown progresses, rain and thunderstorms have continued throughout the afternoon at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Earlier this afternoon, there were three lightning strikes to the lightning protection system towers at Launch Pad 39B – a strike to Tower 1, and two strikes to Tower 2. Initial indications are that …
