La fusée Space Launch System (SLS) de la NASA, avec le vaisseau spatial Orion à bord, est vue au sommet d’un lanceur mobile au complexe de lancement 39B, alors que l’équipe de lancement d’Artemis I se prépare pour la prochaine tentative de répétition générale humide. À droite, la fusée Falcon 9 de SpaceX, avec le vaisseau spatial Crew Dragon à bord, est vue sur la rampe de lancement du complexe de lancement 39A, alors que les préparatifs se poursuivent pour la mission Axiom 1 (Ax-1), mercredi 6 avril 2022, au centre spatial Kennedy de la NASA, en Floride. La mission Ax-1 est la première mission d’astronautes privés vers la Station spatiale internationale. Les membres de l’équipage de la mission Ax-1, le commandant Michael López-Alegría (Espagne et États-Unis), le pilote Larry Connor (États-Unis) et les spécialistes de mission Eytan Stibbe (Israël) et Mark Pathy (Canada), ont été lancés le 8 avril depuis le complexe de lancement 39A du Centre spatial Kennedy. Crédit : NASA/Joel Kowsky
;” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{” attribute=””>NASA is planning to proceed with a modified wet dress rehearsal, primarily focused on tanking the core stage, and minimal propellant operations on the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) with the ground systems at Kennedy. Due to the changes in loading procedures required for the modified test, wet dress rehearsal testing is slated to resume with call to stations on Tuesday, April 12 and tanking on Thursday, April 14. Wet dress rehearsal is an opportunity to refine the countdown procedures and validate critical models and software interfaces. The modified test will enable engineers to achieve the test objectives critical to launch success.
Engineers have identified a helium check valve that is not functioning as expected, requiring these changes to ensure safety of the flight hardware. Helium is used for several different operations, including purging the engine, or clearing the lines, prior to loading propellants during tanking, as well as draining propellant. A check valve is a type of valve that allows liquid or gas to flow in a particular direction and prevents backflow. The helium check valve is about three inches long and prevents the helium from flowing back out of the rocket.
Following the modified test, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where engineers will evaluate the valve and replace if needed. Teams are confident in the ability to replace the valve once back in the VAB.
NASA will host a teleconference to discuss details on Monday, April 11. Check back at this blog for an update on the countdown timeline prior to the modified wet dress rehearsal testing for the Artemis I mission. NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel.
