NASA is trying hard to launch Artemis 1, their upcoming moon mission, on September 23. But they face hurdles like a leak to be fixed and receiving a weaver from the Space Force critics.
Jim Free, an associate administrator of NASA, said that the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket could start on either the 23rd or 27th of September.
The scientists need an extended time to check the FTS battery. FTS is something that will destroy Artemis 1 if it changes direction suddenly during launch.
The FTS goes through a battery test during a 25 days gap. The process requires the 98 meters rocket to roll back to the hangar, leaving the launch pad. If U.S Space Force extends that time frame, The launch of Artemis 1 wouldn’t see a longer delay. Otherwise, the launch may take place in October. After several talks with the Space Force, NASA is hopeful that it will understand the latter’s point of view.
Artemis program of NASA aims to send astronauts again to the moon by the end of 2025. Artemis 1 is uncrewed, and it will just go and check Orion Spacecraft and SLS Megarocket. Both are prepared for flying astronauts. Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission. According to NASA’s planned mission, the astronauts boarding Artemis 2 will fly around by 2024. Then comes the turn of Artemis 3. But the success of the comprehensive Artemis Program depends on the successful launch of Artemis 1.
It is going to be NASA’s third attempt now to launch Artemis 1. It failed because of a cooling problem in the engine in August, and then the leaking of liquid hydrogen stopped the early September launch.
The fueling test for Artemis 1 is scheduled no sooner than September 23, and the organization expects to see a slip just one or two days after the test.
Amid all this, SpaceX plans to launch its astronaut mission with NASA called Crew-5.
