Attempt No. 2: NASA set a new date for launching a rocket to the moon

On September 3, NASA will again try to launch its rocket to the Earth satellite on a test flight after an engine problem stopped the first countdown this week, reports AP.

Photo: IStock

Managers said on August 30 that they are changing refueling procedures to address this issue. They noted that a bad sensor could also be to blame for the August 29 launch failure.

The 98-meter rocket - the most powerful NASA has ever built - remains on its pad at Kennedy Space Center with an empty crew capsule on top.

On the subject: Nine-year-old boy from Malaysia wins NASA competition for the best toilet for astronauts

The Space Launch System rocket will attempt to send a capsule around the moon and back. There will be no one on board, only three dummies. If successful, it will be the first capsule to fly to the moon since NASA's Apollo program 50 years ago.

According to NASA rocket program manager John Honeycutt, moving to Saturday's launch will provide additional information, even if the problem reappears and the countdown stops again. It's better "than we sit and scratch our heads and wonder if it's good enough or not."

“Based on what I heard from the tech team today, we need to continue looking at the data and polish our plan,” he said.

During the August 29 launch attempt, one of the four main engines in the rocket's main stage could not be sufficiently cooled to the planned ignition at launch. According to Honeycutt, it turned out to be as much as 5 degrees Celsius warmer than the desired hydrogen fuel temperature of minus -250 degrees Celsius. Three other engines worked normally.

According to Honeycutt, now all engines are in order.

The cooling operation will take place half an hour ahead of the launch attempt on September 3 in the afternoon, once refueling begins in the morning. Honeycutt said chilling it earlier might help.

Honeycutt also questioned the integrity of one engine sensor, stating that it may have provided inaccurate data. He noted that replacing this sensor would mean dragging the missile back into the hangar, resulting in a delay of several weeks.

NASA officials said the new launch date for Artemis I, which was originally scheduled for September 2, had to be pushed back due to bad weather. ABC.

On September 2, the weather will worsen by 60%, but on September 3 it will be more favorable.

“We're going to have a pretty strong onshore current, and that's promoting showers and possibly a few thunderstorms moving in offshore during the morning and early afternoon hours,” Mark Berger, the 30's launch weather specialist, said at an Aug. 45 media briefing. US Space Force Weather Squadron.

He added: "I'm optimistic that we'll have at least some clean air to work in the afternoon to look forward to Saturday."

Saturday's launch window starts at 14:17 pm. ET and ends at 16:17. ET. If necessary, the launch can be rescheduled to 5 September.

If the launch does not take place by September 5, Artemis I will have to return to the vehicle assembly building and will not be able to launch until the end of the month.

This is because the flight abort batteries, which allow Artemis I to detonate if it veers off course, run out after 25 days.

You may be interested in: top New York news, stories of our immigrants, and helpful tips about life in the Big Apple - read it all on ForumDaily New York.

Already several years behind schedule, the Artemis I test flight worth $4,1 billion is the first in NASA's lunar exploration program, named after Apollo's twin sister in Greek mythology. As early as 2024, astronauts will be able to circle the moon and actually try to land on the moon in 2025.

As ForumDaily wrote earlier:

• Engineering problem with one of the rocket's engines Artemis I led to a delay historic launch.

Read also on ForumDaily:

Sharks are not afraid of people, but want to be near them: predators are increasingly coming to crowded noisy beaches

Google opened to everyone access to a chat bot, which the company's engineer considered reasonable

Frontier Airlines opens 10 new routes from Phoenix: ticket can be purchased for $19

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.