NASA has confirmed that the maiden flight of its SLS mega-rocket, which is to enable the Artemis 1 mission, will not take place in October. At the earliest, takeoff will take place on November 12.
We suspected it, but it happened. The US space agency has announced that its mega-rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS), will not be able to make its maiden flight in the coming weeks. In a message published on September 30, 2022, NASA shared a new schedule: the shooting window opens from November 12 and closes on the 17th of the same month.
No flight for at least six weeks
The SLS will therefore remain grounded for almost six weeks, causing a delay of two and a half months on the initial schedule. Liftoff of the SLS as part of the Artemis 1 mission was scheduled to occur on August 29. But, since then, NASA has faced technical failures – leaks were detected in the propulsion system – and an incomplete validation test.
To the internal problems was added an external concern: tropical storm Ian, which swept the Caribbean and then Florida. However, it is precisely in this federal state that the SLS launch complex is located. The rocket was collected and assembled at Kennedy Space Center. For safety, the launcher has been returned to the garage to avoid any damage… or that it falls under the effect of the wind.
A few days before NASA’s decision, its boss, Bill Nelson, already indicated on CNN that it was very likely that the next attempt could not be made in October. A possibility was considered for a time, before being ruled out. It now remains to determine a more precise date, which will be done in the coming days.
The good news is that the Mega Rocket didn’t take any damage from Ian. ” The Artemis flight hardware was undamaged, and the facilities are in good condition, with only minor water intrusions identified in a few locations “Writes NASA. Additional and extended inspections are planned for the SLS, the Orion capsule and its hangar.
The conquest of space is frequently faced with schedule delays. Also, the disappointments encountered by Artemis I and the SLS are not a surprise, although they are very frustrating. In addition, the characteristics of the flight make it impossible to choose just any date to try again. Not to mention NASA’s choices, which can be problematic.
