Orbiter.ch Space News

samedi 3 septembre 2022

NASA to Stand Down on Artemis I Launch Attempts in Early September, Reviewing Options

NASA - ARTEMIS 1 Mission patch.

Sept. 3, 2022

After standing down on today’s Artemis I launch attempt when engineers could not overcome a hydrogen leak in a quick disconnect, an interface between the liquid hydrogen fuel feed line and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, mission managers met and decided they will forego additional launch attempts in early September.

Image above: NASA’s Space Launch System rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Image Credit: NASA.

Over the next several days, teams will establish access to the area of the leak at Launch Pad 39B, and in parallel conduct a schedule assessment to provide additional data that will inform a decision on whether to perform work to replace a seal either at the pad, where it can be tested under cryogenic conditions, or inside the Vehicle Assembly Building.

To meet the requirement by the Eastern Range for the certification on the flight termination system, currently set at 25 days, NASA will need to roll the rocket and spacecraft back to the VAB before the next launch attempt to reset the system’s batteries. The flight termination system is required on all rockets to protect public safety.

During today’s launch attempt, engineers saw a leak in a cavity between the ground side and rocket side plates surrounding an 8-inch line used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the SLS rocket. Three attempts at reseating the seal were unsuccessful. While in an early phase of hydrogen loading operations called chilldown, when launch controllers cool down the lines and propulsion system prior to flowing super cold liquid hydrogen into the rocket’s tank at minus 423 degrees F, an inadvertent command was sent that temporarily raised the pressure in the system. While the rocket remained safe and it is too early to tell whether the bump in pressurization contributed to the cause of the leaky seal, engineers are examining the issue.

Because of the complex orbital mechanics involved in launching to the Moon, NASA would have had to launch Artemis I by Tuesday, Sept. 6 as part of the current launch period. View a list of launch windows here:

Artemis I Mission Availability
https://www.nasa.gov/feature/artemis-i-mission-availability

Related articles:

Artemis I Launch Attempt Scrubbed (Again)
https://orbiterchspacenews.blogspot.com/2022/09/artemis-i-launch-attempt-scrubbed-again.html

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

Image (mentioned), Text, Credits: NASA/Rachel Kraft.

Greetings, Orbiter.ch

Artemis I Launch Attempt Scrubbed (Again)

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

CASC - Long March-4C launches Yaogan-33-02

CASC - CZ-4C Y52 / Long March-4C - Yaogan-33-02 Mission patch.

Sep 3, 2022

Long March-4C carrying Yaogan-33-02 liftoff

A Long March-4C launch vehicle launched the Yaogan-33-02 (遥感三十三号02) remote-sensing satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, Gansu Province, China, on 2 September 2022, at 23:44 UTC (3 September, 07:44 local time).

Long March-4C launches Yaogan-33-02

According to official sources, the satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit and “will be used for scientific experiments, land resources surveys, crop yield estimation, and disaster prevention and relief”.

Yaogan-33

For more information about China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), visit: http://english.spacechina.com/n16421/index.html

Images, Video, Text, Credits: China Central Television (CCTV)/China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC)/SciNews/Gunter's Space Page/Orbiter.ch Aerospace/Roland Berga.

Greetings, Orbiter.ch

vendredi 2 septembre 2022

Space Station Science Highlights: Week of August 29, 2022

ISS - Expedition 67 Mission patch.

Sep 2, 2022

Crew members aboard the International Space Station conducted scientific investigations during the week of Aug 29 that included examining changes in muscle properties in space, testing a radiation protection garment, and studying the mechanisms behind bone loss.

Image above: The Gulf of California reflects the sun in this photograph taken as the space station orbited 258 miles above. Archangel Island, part of the Mexican state of Baja California, seems to float in the sun’s reflection. Image Credit: NASA.

Here are details on some of the microgravity investigations currently taking place aboard the orbiting lab:

Managing Muscles

Previous studies suggest that muscle tone and stiffness decrease during spaceflight and that inflight exercise seems to mitigate these muscle changes. The ESA (European Space Agency) Myotones investigation observes changes in muscle properties during long-term spaceflight. Results could provide researchers with insight into human resting muscle tone and support development of better countermeasures for future space missions as well as alternative rehabilitation treatments for those experiencing the effects of aging and restricted mobility on Earth. Crew members took measurements of experiment target areas during the week.

Portable protection

Image above: The AstroRad Vest, shown here floating in the space station, is designed to protect crew members from radiation caused by unpredictable solar particle events. Astronauts perform daily tasks while wearing the vest and provide input on its fit, feel, and range of motion, feedback that contributes to improving the vest design. Image Credit: NASA.

AstroRad Vest, sponsored by the ISS U.S. National Lab, tests a vest designed to protect astronauts from radiation caused by unpredictable solar particle events. Astronauts perform daily tasks while wearing the vest, providing input on its fit, feel, and the range of motion it allows, contributing to improving the vest design. Results could help protect crew members from possible harmful effects of radiation on future missions to the Moon and Mars and improve radiation protection garments used on Earth. During the week, crew members wore the vest, documented range of motion tests, and completed a survey on the device.

No bone (loss) about it

Phospho-Aging, an investigation from the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), examines molecular mechanisms behind aging-like symptoms that occur more rapidly in microgravity, such as bone loss and muscle atrophy. Previous research identified calciprotein particles (CPPs) as a factor in aging in mammals. CPPs induce chronic inflammation and systemic tissue damage and could be a mechanism behind accelerated aging in space. Results may indicate whether countermeasures that target CPPs would help protect astronauts on future missions. The investigation also may provide evidence that bone loss from osteoporosis and osteopenia are causes of aging and not merely symptoms of it, and that interventions to prevent such loss could contribute to longer, healthier lives on Earth. The crew gathered blood and urine samples for the investigation during the week.

Other investigations involving the crew:

Image above: This image shows a Nano Step Cartridge with Nano Step Specimen Cell ready for insertion into JAXA’s Solution Crystallization Observation Facility (SCOF) to begin the crystal growth experiment. Advanced NanoStep seeks to improve the quality and success rate of crystals grown in microgravity. Image Credit: NASA.

- Advanced Nano Step, a JAXA investigation, monitors and records how specific impurities affect the development and quality of protein crystals grown in microgravity. This investigation aims to improve the rate of crystal growth and help scientists understand impurities that deteriorate quality, which could contribute to research in space and on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7468

- Airborne Particulate Monitor (APM) demonstrates an instrument for measuring and quantifying the concentration of small and large particles in spacecraft air. The data could shed light on the sources of particles and help protect air quality in spacecraft to keep astronauts healthy and comfortable on future missions.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7936

- ISS Ham Radio sessions engage students, teachers, parents, and other members of the community in direct communication with astronauts via ground-based amateur radio units. This experience helps inspire interest in science, technology, engineering, and math.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=337

- ESA’s NutrISS assesses body composition and energy balance using wearable sensors. Results could lead to improved physical health and quality of life for astronauts and better clinical management of malnourished, obese, or immobilized patients on Earth.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7875

- Wireless Compose-2, an investigation from ESA, demonstrates an infrastructure for wireless transmission of data and a smart shirt for measuring forces generated by the heart as it moves blood. This technology could help monitor the health of astronauts on future missions and this investigation also could improve use of the technology on the ground.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8563

- For Crew Earth Observations (CEO), crew members photograph Earth, recording how the planet changes over time due to human activity and natural events. Scientists have used these images in multiple ways and the investigation also makes it possible to monitor disasters and direct response on the ground.
https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=84

Space to Ground: Outfitting the Arm: 09/01/2022

The space station, a robust microgravity laboratory with a multitude of specialized research facilities and tools, has supported many scientific breakthroughs from investigations spanning every major scientific discipline. The ISS Benefits for Humanity 2022 publication details the expanding universe of results realized from more than 20 years of experiments conducted on the station.

Related links:

Expedition 67: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition67/index.html

Myotones: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7573

AstroRad Vest: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=7803

ISS U.S. National Lab: https://www.issnationallab.org/

Phospho-Aging: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/explorer/Investigation.html?#id=8278

Spot the Station: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/

Space Station Research and Technology: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/overview.html

International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

Images (mentioned), Video (NASA), Text, Credits: NASA/Ana Guzman/John Love, ISS Research Planning Integration Scientist Expedition 67.

Best regards, Orbiter.ch

The Crater Farm

NASA - Magellan Mission patch.

Sep 2, 2022

Image above: In a Magellan image dubbed the "Crater Farm" we see the curious layering of volcanic activity and impact craters. Published: February 10, 2012. Image Credits: NASA/JPL.

Three impact craters are displayed in this three-dimensional perspective view of the surface of Venus taken by NASA's Magellan, the first deep space probe launched by a space shuttle. The center of the image is located at approximately 27 degrees south latitude, 339 degrees east longitude in the northwestern portion of the Lavinia Planitia region of Venus.

Magellan mission, Venus global view. Image Credits: NASA/JPL

Three impact craters are displayed in this three-dimensional perspective view of the surface of Venus. The center of the image is located at approximately 27 degrees south latitude, 339 degrees east longitude in the northwestern portion of Lavinia Planitia.

What Scientists/Engineers Say About This Image:

"I remember when I first laid my eyes on a press release image from early on in the Magellan mission of an area informally called the 'Crater Farm.' I could see in that one image that there was something really strange about Venus. It still seems really strange now, even though this image is from the early 90s. The Crater Farm image shows these very pristine looking craters, super-imposed on a volcanic background that are not lapping up at all onto the edge of the craters.

Magellan Mission to Venus. Image Credits: NASA/JPL

At least in this one image there was all this luminous volcanic activity that somehow stopped while the planet got covered up with craters. Of course, that shouldn't be the history of a reasonable planet; that the volcanism should stop and the craters should keep going -- that is unless that planet has a weird history. I remember looking at that picture and thinking that there is something weird going on here and that it has important implications for the whole history of the planet, its climate, its atmosphere, its geology. And I still think that that is true. Venus sort of became a focus of a big part of my career -- figuring out what is weird about Venus as represented in that picture."

--David Grinspoon: Curator of Astrobiology, Denver Museum of Nature and Science.

Related links:

NASA's Magellan: https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/magellan/in-depth/

Venus: http://www.nasa.gov/venus

Images (mentioned), Text, Credits: NASA/Michael Bock.

Greetings, Orbiter.ch

Cosmonaut Spacewalkers Complete Robotics Spacewalk

EVA - Extra Vehicular Activities patch.

Sept. 2, 2022

Expedition 67 Commander Oleg Artemyev and Flight Engineer Denis Matveev, both of Roscosmos, concluded their spacewalk at 5:12 p.m. EDT after 7 hours and 47 minutes.

Image above: The European robotic arm is seen attached to the Nauka module of the International Space Station, the worksite for today’s spacewalk by two cosmonauts. Image Credit: NASA.

Artemyev and Matveev completed their major objectives, which included relocating an external control panel for the European robotic arm from one operating area to another and testing a rigidizing mechanism on the arm that will be used to facilitate the grasping of payloads. In addition, the duo extended a Strela telescoping boom from the Zarya module to the Poisk module.

Image above: Spacewalkers Oleg Artemyev (bottom left) and Denis Matveev (right) extend the Russian Strela cargo crane from the Zarya module toward the Poisk module following work on the European robotic arm. Image Credit: NASA TV.

Additional spacewalks are planned to continue outfitting the European robotic arm and to activate Nauka’s airlock for future spacewalks. The work on the European robotic arm will be used to move spacewalkers and payloads around the Russian segment of the station.

Russian spacewalkers extend cargo crane outside space station

This was the eighth spacewalk in Artemyev’s career, and the fourth for Matveev. It was the eighth spacewalk at the station in 2022 and the 253rd spacewalk  for space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.

ROSCOSMOS Press Releases:

Российские космонавты в шестой раз в этом году вышли в открытый космос / Russian cosmonauts went out into open space for the sixth time this year
https://www.roscosmos.ru/38166/

Космонавты подготовили к работе европейский манипулятор снаружи МКС / The astronauts prepared the European manipulator outside the ISS for work
https://www.roscosmos.ru/38175/

Related links:

Expedition 67: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/expeditions/expedition67/index.html

Zarya module: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/zarya-cargo-module

Poisk module: https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/structure/elements/poisk-mini-research-module-2

European Robotic Arm (ERA): https://www.esa.int/Science_Exploration/Human_and_Robotic_Exploration/International_Space_Station/European_Robotic_Arm

International Space Station (ISS): https://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html

Images (mentioned), Video, Text, Credits: NASA/Mark Garcia/NASA TV/SciNews.

Best regards, Orbiter.ch

China Space Station (CSS) - Shenzhou-14 astronauts complete first spacewalk

CMS - China Manned Space logo.

Sep 2, 2022

Shenzhou-14 astronauts (Taikonauts) complete first spacewalk

According to the China National Space Administration (CNSA), the first extravehicular activity of the Shenzhou-14 (神舟十四号) mission was completed on 1 September 2022, at 18:33 UTC (2 September, at 00:33 China Standard Time), when astronauts Chen Dong (陈冬, commander) and Liu Yang (刘洋) safely returned to the Wentian Laboratory Module (问天实验舱).

Shenzhou-14 astronauts complete first spacewalk

Best regards, Orbiter.ch