Despite the detection of a hydrogen leak, NASA has estimated that the test campaign of its Space Launch System (SLS) super-rocket is complete. Place now to repair the problem, and the future maiden flight.
Move on, despite a concern observed during the last test. This is in short the position of the American space agency on the occasion of the report on the test campaign of the Space Launch System (SLS), America’s new super-rocket. For NASA, the launcher can move on to the next stage, with a view to its maiden flight, perhaps as early as August 2022.
This decision comes four days after the “wet dress rehearsal”, which consists of filling the SLS tanks with liquid fuel (hence the expression “wet dress rehearsal”). This is a key and sensitive step, because tons of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) then circulate in the pipes.
However, it was precisely on this occasion that non-nominal behavior was observed, a modest way of saying that there was a problem: a leak of liquid hydrogen was detected, which disrupted the smooth running of exercise. It was completed somehow, but without achieving all of the objectives. The test stopped 29 seconds before the end, instead of 9 seconds.
The SLS test campaign comes to an end
Some then wondered if it wouldn’t be wise to redo another “wet dress rehearsal” to remove the uncertainty and make a demonstration without any difficulty. But it won’t. ” NASA has reviewed the data from the rehearsal and has determined that the test campaign is over. the agency said in a June 23 statement.
One can suspect NASA’s lack of momentum at the prospect of getting back to work again, given the arduous nature of this “wet dress rehearsal”. Because the test that occurred in June was not the first: it was in fact the fourth, succeeding three failed attempts last April. Two months of break did not allow everything to be settled.
No new test with the super-rocket, therefore, despite the hydrogen leak, but a return to the workshop to repair a leak detected during the last rehearsal. The replacement of defective parts will take place in the days and weeks to come, with an inaugural flight in August in sight. It is in any case on this date that the machine will be installed on the launch pad.
The flight scheduled for 2022 should be the start of the Artemis program, which consists of bringing American astronauts back to the Moon during the decade. This first flight, Artemis I, will consist in propelling the Orion capsule so that it circles the Moon before returning. No one will be on board. The crew will be present with Artémis II, in 2024.
