A hazardous hydrogen leak halted NASA’s latest effort to ignite its massive moon rocket for a countdown test on April 14, the latest in a series of perplexing mechanical problems. When the leak occurred, the launch team had barely begun loading fuel into the rocket’s core stage. This was NASA’s third attempt at a dress rehearsal, which is required before a moon test trip.
The launch team was able to get some super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the core stage of the 30-story Space Launch System rocket this time, but not nearly enough. Officials noted that the systems had been checked for leaks before the test because liquid hydrogen is exceedingly dangerous.
NASA officials informed on Twitter
Following the discovery of a faulty valve last week, technicians purposefully left the smaller top stage empty. The upper stage’s helium valve cannot be replaced until the rocket is returned to its hangar at Kennedy Space Center. Balky fans and a big hand-operated valve that employees accidentally left closed at the pad last week ruined two prior countdown efforts. Officials say they’re weighing their options on Twitter.
The launch of NASA’s 322-foot (98-metre) SLS rocket had been planned for June. The empty Orion capsule on top will be launched on a four- to six-week trip around the moon.
The second test voyage around the moon, scheduled for 2024, will see astronauts strapped in. The first lunar landing by astronauts since 1972 would take place as early as 2025. The astronauts for these two missions will be announced by NASA this summer.
- A hazardous hydrogen leak halted NASA’s latest effort to ignite its massive moon rocket for a countdown test on April 14, the latest in a series of perplexing mechanical problems.
- This was NASA’s third attempt at a dress rehearsal, which is required before a moon test trip.
- Balky fans and a big hand-operated valve that employees accidentally left closed at the pad last week ruined two prior countdown efforts.