NASA's Artemis II Moon Rocket Fueling Test Hit by Hydrogen Leak, Plans for Launch Uncertain.
A critical fueling test for NASA's Artemis II moon rocket has been delayed due to a hydrogen leak, casting doubt over the agency's plans for an early weekend launch. The test was intended to clear the way for a possible Sunday night liftoff of the four-astronaut crew aboard Orion crew capsules.
The countdown practice began on Saturday evening, two days late due to frigid weather along Florida's Space Coast. Engineers had initially planned to start the remotely controlled fueling operation after a morning meeting, but a hydrogen leak at the base of the rocket's first-stage tank has thrown a wrench into the carefully choreographed sequence.
The test got underway about 45 minutes later than scheduled, with supercold liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel being pumped into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's first-stage tanks. Shortly after, hydrogen began flowing into the rocket's upper stage as planned. However, after the first-stage hydrogen tank was about 55% full, a leak was detected at an umbilical plate where a fuel line from the launch pad is connected to the SLS rocket's first stage.
Engineers initially paused the test and resumed fuel flow but again cut it off with the tank about 77% full. After further discussion, they decided to press ahead on the assumption that the leak would decrease once the tank was full and in a replenishment mode when flow rates are reduced.
According to NASA, the team has completed filling the core stage of the SLS rocket with liquid hydrogen. Engineers continue to monitor the leak at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical but report that the liquid hydrogen concentration remains within acceptable limits.
The countdown was timed for a simulated launch at 9 p.m. ET, and engineers had originally planned to continue several hours past that to run through recycle procedures intended to ensure they are ready to handle any problems or delays that might occur during a real countdown. The impact of the leak on these plans is not yet clear.
The SLS rocket is the most powerful operational launcher in the world, powered by two strap-on solid fuel boosters and four main engines burning liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel that generate 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. The Artemis astronauts, including commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, are hoping to launch atop the SLS rocket as early as Sunday night for a nine-day, two-hour flight around the moon and back.
Only three days in February remain as possible launch windows: Feb. 8, 10, and 11. If the SLS is not off the ground by Feb. 11, the flight will slip to early March.
A critical fueling test for NASA's Artemis II moon rocket has been delayed due to a hydrogen leak, casting doubt over the agency's plans for an early weekend launch. The test was intended to clear the way for a possible Sunday night liftoff of the four-astronaut crew aboard Orion crew capsules.
The countdown practice began on Saturday evening, two days late due to frigid weather along Florida's Space Coast. Engineers had initially planned to start the remotely controlled fueling operation after a morning meeting, but a hydrogen leak at the base of the rocket's first-stage tank has thrown a wrench into the carefully choreographed sequence.
The test got underway about 45 minutes later than scheduled, with supercold liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel being pumped into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's first-stage tanks. Shortly after, hydrogen began flowing into the rocket's upper stage as planned. However, after the first-stage hydrogen tank was about 55% full, a leak was detected at an umbilical plate where a fuel line from the launch pad is connected to the SLS rocket's first stage.
Engineers initially paused the test and resumed fuel flow but again cut it off with the tank about 77% full. After further discussion, they decided to press ahead on the assumption that the leak would decrease once the tank was full and in a replenishment mode when flow rates are reduced.
According to NASA, the team has completed filling the core stage of the SLS rocket with liquid hydrogen. Engineers continue to monitor the leak at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical but report that the liquid hydrogen concentration remains within acceptable limits.
The countdown was timed for a simulated launch at 9 p.m. ET, and engineers had originally planned to continue several hours past that to run through recycle procedures intended to ensure they are ready to handle any problems or delays that might occur during a real countdown. The impact of the leak on these plans is not yet clear.
The SLS rocket is the most powerful operational launcher in the world, powered by two strap-on solid fuel boosters and four main engines burning liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel that generate 8.8 million pounds of thrust at liftoff. The Artemis astronauts, including commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, are hoping to launch atop the SLS rocket as early as Sunday night for a nine-day, two-hour flight around the moon and back.
Only three days in February remain as possible launch windows: Feb. 8, 10, and 11. If the SLS is not off the ground by Feb. 11, the flight will slip to early March.
They gotta get this rocket ready for those astronauts! A hydrogen leak threw a wrench into their plans and now they're all unsure if it'll launch on Sunday night 
. I mean, can't have that SLS rocket just sitting there waiting to go, right? 
They've got some serious planning to do, like, what's the deal with this leak? How did that even happen? 
Anyway, fingers crossed they get it sorted and those astronauts blast off for their moon adventure! 
Oh man, what a bummer! Hydrogen leak on NASA's Artemis II moon rocket fueling test? This isn't good at all... 
1 day late and still no clear plan for launch 
. I was really looking forward to seeing the astronauts fly by the moon again 
. Now it looks like they're pushing their luck with a few days left in February before they have to delay further 
. Hopefully, NASA can get this sorted out soon so we don't have to wait much longer for liftoff 
!
.
. Hydrogen leaks are pretty rare, so hopefully it's just a minor issue that'll get fixed soon 
. But still, three days in Feb left is kinda tight 
. Maybe they can squeeze out a launch on the 10th? 
I'm literally on the edge of my seat thinking about this. A hydrogen leak at the perfect moment in time... it's like something out of a sci-fi movie. NASA has to be careful not to rush into anything that could put those astronauts' lives at risk. The clock is ticking, and with only three days left for launch windows, the pressure must be mounting. Hopefully, they can iron out this issue ASAP so we can see the Artemis II mission come to life 
This is so crazy! A hydrogen leak on a rocket that's about to blast off into space?! That's like something out of a movie! I'm trying to imagine what it would be like to have a hydrogen leak in mid-air, and just thinking about it makes me go "Whoa!" 
, another delay for Artemis II... I mean, come on NASA! They've been preparing for this moment for years and now a little hydrogen leak throws everything off track?