NASA - ARTEMIS 1 Mission patch.
Sept. 3, 2022
Engineers Warming Up Area of Leak to Attempt Resealing, Core Stage LOX in Replenish
Image above: NASA’s Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B on September 3, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Engineers are continuing troubleshooting efforts to address a liquid hydrogen leak in a cavity in the quick disconnect where the flight side and ground side plates join. They once again will attempt to warm up the quick disconnect to try to reset the seal.
The liquid oxygen tank of the core stage is full and is being replenished as some of the super cooled propellant boils off.
Reoccurrence of Liquid Hydrogen Leak Detected
A liquid hydrogen leak has reoccurred again in a cavity between the ground and flight side plates of a quick disconnect in the engine section. Teams are discussing additional troubleshooting efforts.
Liquid Hydrogen Flow to Core Stage Resumes
Launch controllers have started flowing liquid hydrogen to the core stage again after troubleshooting the reoccurrence of a leak. This time engineers attempted to reseat the seal in a quick disconnect cavity where the leak occurred by applying pressure to it with helium.
Teams Troubleshoot Reoccurrence of Liquid Hydrogen Leak
As engineers increased the pressure on the flow of liquid hydrogen into the core stage, a leak reoccurred. Engineers will attempt to reseat the seal in the quick disconnect cavity where the leak has been detected. This time they will stop flowing liquid hydrogen to the tank, close the valve used to fill and drain it, then increase pressure on a ground transfer line using helium to to try to reseal it.
Launch controllers are continuing to flow liquid oxygen to the core stage.
Liquid Hydrogen Leak Detected Once Again
After the third troubleshooting attempt, the liquid hydrogen leak has occurred again. Teams are discussing next steps.
Artemis I Launch Attempt Scrubbed
The launch director waived off today’s Artemis I launch attempt at approximately 11:17 a.m. EDT. Teams encountered a liquid hydrogen leak while loading the propellant into the core stage of the Space Launch System rocket. Multiple troubleshooting efforts to address the area of the leak by reseating a seal in the quick disconnect where liquid hydrogen is fed into the rocket did not fix the issue. Engineers are continuing to gather additional data.
Artemis I aborted launch- 3 September 2022
NASA Update:
NASA to Provide Artemis I Launch Update Saturday
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-provide-artemis-i-launch-update-saturday
Related articles:
Second try for the Artemis I Moon flight
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2022/08/second-try-for-artemis-i-moon-flight.html
Engineers Assess Data After Scrub, Mission Managers to Meet Tuesday Afternoon
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2022/08/engineers-assess-data-after-scrub.html
NASA to Provide Update on Artemis I Moon Mission Status
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-to-provide-update-on-artemis-i-moon-mission-status
ARTEMIS 1 - Launch Attempt Scrubbed
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2022/08/artemis-1-launch-attempt-scrubbed.html
Related links:
Artemis I: https://www.nasa.gov/specials/artemis-i/
Space Launch System (SLS): https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/index.html
Orion spacecraft: https://www.nasa.gov/exploration/systems/orion/index.html
European Service Module (ESM): https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/Orion/Orion_European_Service_Module_kit
Images, Video, Text, Credits: NASA/Rachel Kraft/NASA TV/SciNews/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.
Best regards, Orbiter.ch
