It will be April 1. So Saturday was planned (9). But, NASA ended up delaying one of the crucial tests of the Artemis 1 mission again. Now, the “wet test” of the project that will return humanity to the moon will take place until next Tuesday (12).
This pre-launch activity is very important. Testing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida focuses on the SLS rocket’s main tank, the Intercooled Propulsion Intermediate Stage (ICPS), and that portion takes place Thursday. 14).
The mission team decided to modify the testing procedures to ensure the safety of flight equipment. Engineers have a problem with the “helium check valve,” which is about 7.5 centimeters long and prevents gas from flowing back into the rocket, according to a statement posted on the US space agency’s website.
“Helium is used in a number of different processes, including engine purge or line cleaning, prior to loading propellant during the tank, as well as propellant draining. A check valve is a type of valve that allows liquid or gas to flow in a specific direction and prevents reverse flow.”
The Wet Experiment is an opportunity to improve countdown and validation procedures for critical models and software interfaces. Using it, engineers can achieve critical test goals for the successful launch of the Artemis 1 mission.
After the test, the rocket and the Orion capsule return to the vehicle’s assembly site. There, specialists will evaluate the valve and, if necessary, replace it. In this exchange depends the difference.
Artemis 1 will be the first of the Artemis lunar program. In this initial mission, Orion will travel to Earth’s natural unmanned satellite, for about a month. It is expected to be launched in June. If all goes well, the Artemis 2 mission will send astronauts on a similar project around the moon in 2024. So, in 2025 or 2026, Artemis 3 will land astronauts near the south pole of the moon.
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