Alex Bruno
The Artemis I moon project, a groundbreaking effort to return humans to the lunar surface, has been beset by abrupt and unanticipated technical challenges during the past several days NASA. The “wet dress rehearsal,” a vital testing phase, has been ongoing since Friday. Cryogenic fuel loading on the Space Launch System rocket is one of the penultimate preparations before launch, which NASA hopes to do in late May. The exam was everything from simple.
Artemis I’s launchpad at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center was hit by four deadly lightning strikes, delaying the procedure for the first time. A second attempt at launching the SLS rocket was scheduled for NASA on Sunday, but it was canceled due to safety issues with the mobile launcher. They couldn’t pressurize the rocket sufficiently to prevent dangerous gases from entering, essentially. At the time, the agency claimed that the wet dress rehearsal would be completed on Monday, causing yet another delay in the process.
There was a problem with the mobile launcher’s vent valve or a panel on the rocket’s core stage that was designed to alleviate pressure. However, there was some good news: the newest source of worry had been identified. NASA’s Artemis launch director, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, revealed during a news conference last week that the manual hand valve was in the closed position when it should have been open.
The agency had originally planned to start dress rehearsal activities over the weekend, but that has subsequently been pushed back to April 12. In Blackwell-estimation, Thompson’s three of the five secondary goals have been fulfilled as well. One of the lingering side goals has been half completed, while the other is still completely unfinished.
After all, Blackwell-Thompson points out, “this is a test and its goal will be realized when we completely understand our systems.”
“No, we would have like to do the exam today. Count me in “The statement was made by Blackwell-Thompson. “However, I believe that NASA’s finest work is done when it solves issues, and I believe that is what draws us to this.
It’s a combination of curiosity, a love of adventure, and the knowledge that you’re going to face these challenges head-on and overcome them.” Even while Artemis I was designed to remind us that our planet’s shining companion is full of splendor, it also serves as a guidepost to help us avoid making any mistakes along the path. This will be the first time that a female astronaut and a person of color have been able to arrive on the moon at the same time in the history of space exploration.
Source: CNET
