The launch director halted today’s Artemis I launch attempt at approximately 8:34 a.m. EDT. The Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft remain in a safe and stable configuration. Launch controllers were continuing to evaluate why a bleed test to get the RS-25 engines on the bottom of the core stage to the proper temperature …
Teams are in a hold in the countdown at T-40 minutes while engineers evaluate why the bleed test to condition the engines was not successful. Engineers are looking at options to gather as much data as possible. The Artemis I rocket and spacecraft are in a stable, safe condition.
While liquid oxygen loading into the interim cryogenic propulsion stage continues and core stage tanks continue to be replenished with propellants, engineers are troubleshooting an issue conditioning one of the RS-25 engines (engine 3) on the bottom of the core stage. Launch controllers condition the engines by increasing pressure on the core stage tanks to …
The Space Launch System’s core stage liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) tanks are fully fueled and both are being replenished. During replenish, the propellant that naturally boils off is being replaced to ensure the tanks are at full capacity for launch. A “go” has been given for liquid oxygen loading into the interim …
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 …
