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| The NASA's SLS Artemis 1 Rocket is Ready to Carry Out a 3-Day Refueling Test |
Florida - NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) megarocket for the moon mission Artemis 1 prepares for a 3-day refueling test. The SLS megarocket is already on Launch Pad 39B, the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida to begin testing on June 18, 2022.
The SLS Artemis 1 rocket refueling test, which NASA calls a "wet suit exercise," is an important test to ensure the giant rocket's refueling process and systems are ready for a mission to the moon.
Quoted from Space.com, NASA officials say Artemis 1 will launch the Orion spacecraft around the moon as an unmanned observation mission. “During the test, the launch team will practice operations to load the propellant into the rocket tank, perform a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and drain the tank. This is to give them a chance to practice according to the timeline and procedures that will be used for the launch.
NASA attempted to carry out several tests in April, but was unable to carry out due to problems loading fuel into the rocket's Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage. They found that a loose bolt caused a hydrogen leak at the navel line between the stage and the SLS Mobile Launch Platform. The helium check valve on the stage should also be replaced.
Engineers have since fixed the issue and are once again ready to try a refueling test. "Practice is the final test required before launch. When members of the launch control team will arrive at their consoles to start a countdown of about two days," NASA said.
If all goes well, NASA will fully refuel the Artemis 1 rocket by June 20, 2022. The Megarocket Space Launch System is scheduled to launch the unmanned Artemis 1 mission to the moon in August.