NASA is conducting ongoing tests on its new space launch system, also known as the Mega Moon Rocket, which aims to launch a voyage to the moon without a crew later this year and eventually transport humans back to the moon. The agency encountered various problems during the testing process and recently tried a third, modified version of its wet dress rehearsal, but this was canceled once again.
NASA has said that the problems it faces are not big design problems, but rather smaller technical problems. At a press conference this Friday, April 15, she said she could try the test again this Thursday, April 21.
The NASA Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft on board is seen on top of a mobile launcher at Launch Complex 39B, Monday, April 4, 2022. NASA / Joel Cousky
The latest version of the test, in which the rocket twists to the launch pad and is filled with liquid fuel, has been modified from previous efforts to focus on using ground-based systems to fill the rocket’s main stage tanks instead of trying to fill the upper stage as well. However, even with this modified test, there were still problems, after a problem with the fan in the first test and a stuck valve in the second test. In the last test, the team identified a liquid hydrogen leak and had to stop the test. Liquid hydrogen is one of the two fuels used, along with liquid oxygen.
“Engineers came across a leak of liquid hydrogen on the tail service mast, which prevented the team from completing the test,” NASA wrote. “Before completing the test, the teams were able to gather additional data by cooling the lines used to refuel in the upper stage. The missile remains in a safe configuration while teams assess the next steps. “
The liquid oxygen tank was basically almost half full when the test was canceled, the agency said in an update, and the liquid hydrogen tank was filled to about 5% of its capacity. Seeing a leak, the team had to drain the fuel back from the rocket to find the source of the leak.
At a news conference, NASA Artemis mission chief Mike Sarafin said the team could try the test again this Thursday, but will have to work around a busy schedule at the Kennedy Space Center, including the launch of the Crew-4 SpaceX Crew Dragon Mission to the International Space station on Saturday, April 23.
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