Shulou(Shulou.com)11/24 Report--

On Thursday, September 9, NASA announced that it would make another attempt to launch its first unmanned mission to the moon, Artemis I (Artemis 1), on September 23 or 27. However, NASA still has many challenges to overcome if it is to launch smoothly, including repairing the rocket refueling system, obtaining Tai Air Force approval and trying to avoid various space mission schedule conflicts.

NASA is instructing the Artemis team to advance all preparations for testing and launch, including ensuring an adequate supply of propellant and gas used in fuel tank operation, and developing flight operation plans for the mission. The launch window on September 23 will open at 06:47 EDT for two hours, NASA said. The launch window on September 27 will open at 11: 37 EDT for 70 minutes.

Artemis I marks the first launch of NASA's giant carrier rocket, the Space launch system (SLS), which will launch a spacecraft called Orion into orbit far from the moon. No astronauts took part in this mission, but only as a test for a follow-up mission. These missions will send the astronauts back to the moon.

On September 3, NASA's attempt to launch was blocked by a hydrogen leak, and the agency decided to leave the rocket on the launch pad for maintenance. They will replace the seal between the rocket and the pipeline that delivers liquid hydrogen fuel to the rocket. Keeping the rocket on the launch pad will allow the NASA team to test new seals at low temperatures to simulate the actual launch process.

NASA's current goal is to conduct critical cryogenic tests on September 17, just days before the first launch window on September 23. Mike Bolger (Mike Bolger), program manager for exploring ground systems at Kennedy Space Center, said it takes about four days to prepare for the launch from the successful completion of the test to the preparation of the launch.

In addition to the urgent need to repair and test seals, there are other major issues that could affect NASA's goal of sending Artemis I into space this month. One of the biggest problems involves a system inside the rocket called the Flight termination system, which allows the rocket to be destroyed if something goes wrong during launch.

The flight termination system is critical when dealing with large rockets or missiles and needs to play a role at launch. The United States Air Force is responsible for the launch assessment in the eastern region, and their mission is to ensure that any launch attempt does not pose a risk to people or property. For example, they require the battery on the flight termination system to remain operational during launch, which means that the battery must be fully charged in the nearby facility before the new launch window.

NASA now wants to exempt from this rule. The agency has already had a delay in the certification of flight termination systems, giving them more time in previous launch attempts. But now that the deadline has passed, they must apply for a new extension. In the final analysis, it depends on whether the Tai Air Force believes that the launch can proceed safely.

It is not clear when or whether NASA's request will be approved. If NASA is not exempted, the SLS rocket will have to be removed from the launch pad, resulting in further delays.

In addition to these ground preparations, the rocket will encounter all kinds of trouble after it goes into space. Now that NASA has missed the launch window in late August and early September, SLS will have to compete with other space missions for new launch opportunities. The agency chose September 23 and 27 to avoid conflict with NASA's double asteroid redirection test (DART) mission, which is scheduled to hit an asteroid on September 26. In addition, SpaceX will send NASA Crew-5 astronauts to the International Space Station in early October.

As a result, whether due to maintenance delays or other reasons, we have to go back to the Rocket Assembly Building (VAB) for inspection, and if Artemis I misses these launch windows, the next launch may not be available until late October.

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