Excited for Artemis

[gekkogecko]

As you are probably aware, Project Artemis is NASA's latest moon mission. Artemis-1 is scheduled for launch on Monday. News and links here:
https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-sls-moon-rocket-launch-webcasts

[gekkogecko]

Still scheduled for 0833 today. Just checked the weather for the launch:
Time 8:00 am
Conditions Partly Cloudy
Temp. 81 °F
Feels Like 89 °F
Precip 15 %
Amount 0 in
Cloud Cover 54 %
Dew Point 76 °F
Humidity 85 %
Wind 3 mph S
Pressure 29.98 in

[gekkogecko]

Annnnd...scrubbed. There was a problem with the engine bleed system, which cools the engine prior to launch. Next launch window is on Friday, 2 September.

[gekkogecko]

No launch today. Launch tomorrow. Sooner or later, there's always a launch.

Next try scheduled for Saturday, 3 September, 2022, 1417 EDT (1817Z/GMT)

[gekkogecko]

And, scrubbed again. This time, the culprit was a hydrogen leak, and the engineers could stop the leak sufficiently to fuel the rocket. Next launch window is Monday, 1712 EDT (2212 GMT). There is also a very brief (24-minute) launch window on Tuesday evening.

[gekkogecko]

So...the latest update from the other day:
Fueling test now moved to 21 September (backed up four days from 17 September), meaning the next launch window opens on Tuesday, 27 September. Backup for that day is 2 October.

[PantyFanatic]

Is this going to where the Road Runner ends up jumping up and down on MegaRocket until it goes off?


*BOOOOOM*

[gekkogecko]

It's not an Acme product.

[gekkogecko]

Oh, and on a related note, don't forget about the DART (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) mission, set for 26 September.

[gekkogecko]

And yesterday's fueling test was successful. Technicians still have to go through the data, or IOW, it's still possible for the launch to miss the window on 27 September. But so far, so good.

[gekkogecko]

Well, sheeeeeeeeeeit. The fueling tests were successful (still minor leaks, but very manageable,) and things were set to go of 27 September.
-But, of course-
Launch called off once again, this time due to Tropical Storm Ian (which may become a major hurricane by the time it reached Florida.)
NASA is considering rolling the vehicle back to the Vehicle Assembly Building; final decision on that will be late Sunday or early Monday.

[PantyFanatic]

Are you SURRRRRRRRE that's not an Acme rocket? :confused:

[dicksbro]

I sure hope they're successful this time. :wish:

[Teddy Bear]

*beep*beep*

[gekkogecko]

Indeed, the decision was to roll back the rocket to the VAB. Safer for the thing, and by now, they probably have to replace the batteries in the safety system anyway.

In other space news, though, did people watch the feed of the DART mission? Some spectacular images just before impact, and the test was successful in that it it an object only about 200m (660ft) in diameter at a distance of 9+1/2 months' travel time. The total effect still won't be known until we analyze data from ground-based observations (and possibly a few from Hubble & JWST.)

[gekkogecko]

Next possible launch window opens on 14 November 0007 : that's 12:07 AM. We see if it goes this time.

[gekkogecko]

So, Artemis is scheduled to start rolling back to launch pad 39-B 0001 tomorrow ET. Somehow, the .64-km/hr crawl itself is supposed to be the next exciting thing. Whatevs, if you really want to , you can watch it live: https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-rocket-rollout-webcast-november-2022

[gekkogecko]

And now, Hurricane Nichole has pushed back the potential launch to 16 November. SSDD.

[gekkogecko]

And Artemis is away! Liftoff at 0147 today (16 November 2022). There were a couple of glitches-for example, a red team had to go in to tighten the packing nuts on the liquid hydrogen replenishment valve-but the liftoff itself was smooth after that. Well done! https://www.space.com/nasa-artemis-1-moon-mission-launch

[PantyFanatic]

Here we come!

*BEEP-BEEP* :angel:

[gekkogecko]

Earth, from space: https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KHbLTCpiy48ZjRrqD7eUdN-970-80.png

[gekkogecko]

And a short news story about the team that went in to do the repairs: https://www.space.com/artemis-1-rocket-red-crew-daring-launch-pad-repair

[PantyFanatic]

Thanks GG for the follow-up details that makes everything work that isn't often noticed. That picture becomes more moving the longer I look at it.

Too bad the specie has to have the negative extreme balance to these fantastic accomplishments.

[gekkogecko]

Too bad the specie has to have the negative extreme balance to these fantastic accomplishments.

Ain't that the truth.