Technical problems and the tropical storm that hits Florida are all obstacles for the takeoff of NASA’s mega-rocket. The Space Launch System (SLS) may not take off until November.
Definitely, the operational beginnings of the SLS mega-rocket are laborious. Since the end of August, the American space agency has been looking for an opportunity to launch the Space Launch System, as part of the Artemis 1 mission. But for the past month, NASA has had bad news. Either there are technical problems or the weather is too bad.
NASA evokes an attempt in November
With September coming to an end, the question that will arise is whether an October shooting could take place. It’s not even certain: NASA boss Bill Nelson told CNN that the SLS liftoff is more likely to take place in mid-November. Another shooting window is envisaged for the end of October, but NASA believes it less.
The SLS was sheltered at the end of September, given the unfavorable evolution of Tropical Storm Ian. Its recent trajectory has led it to pass Cuba and head towards Florida. It is precisely in this American state that the launch pad of the Kennedy Space Center and the rocket are located. Ian is rated at Level 4 on the Hurricane Scale, which has 5 main levels (and 2 sub-levels).
The storm should still produce its effects in the region for several days, which will prevent the American space agency from quickly redeploying the SLS on its launch pad. In addition, it will be necessary to check whether damage has been caused to the Kennedy Space Center and to bring back non-essential personnel, after the evacuation of the site – only a small team remained on site.
The various disappointments surrounding the firing of the SLS are in fact a source of frustration for NASA as well as for those waiting for Artemis 1 to take off. Two take-off attempts have already been canceled for technical reasons – leaks in the propulsion system. A test was to validate the fixes, but this one was not completely conclusive.
The challenge of the Artemis mission, the symbols associated with the rocket and the costs to which it was necessary to agree to develop it are all reasons why NASA does not rush. It took billions of dollars to develop the project, and the unit cost of each shot is also in the billions. Out of the question to see it tip over because of bad weather, in short.
The Artemis 1 mission consists of launching a rocket to send the capsule at its top to the Moon. This is uninhabited. She must go around the satellite before returning to Earth. If all goes well, another mission, Artémis 2, should reproduce the exercise, but with astronauts on board. But this next step is not expected before 2024.
