La fusée Space Launch System (SLS) de la NASA avec le vaisseau spatial Orion à bord est vue au sommet d’une rampe de lancement mobile au complexe de lancement 39B alors que l’équipe de lancement Artemis I se prépare pour sa prochaine tentative de test de répétition de vêtements mouillés, tout comme une fusée SpaceX Falcon 9 avec le vaisseau spatial de l’équipage a vu le Dragon de la société à bord de la rampe de lancement du complexe de lancement 39A alors que les préparatifs de la mission Axiom 1 (Ax-1) se poursuivent, le mercredi 6 avril 2022, au Kennedy Space Center de la NASA en Floride. La mission Ax-1 est la première mission privée d’astronaute vers la Station spatiale internationale. Les membres d’équipage de l’Ax-1, le commandant Michael Lopez-Alegria d’Espagne et des États-Unis, le pilote Larry Connor des États-Unis, les spécialistes de mission Eitan Stipe d’Israël et Mark Bathy du Canada ont été lancés le 8 avril depuis le complexe de lancement 39A au Kennedy Space Center. Crédit : NASA/Joel Kosky
interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) with the ground systems at Kennedy. Due to the changes in loading procedures required for the modified test, wet dress rehearsal testing is slated to resume with call to stations on Tuesday, April 12 and tanking on Thursday, April 14. Wet dress rehearsal is an opportunity to refine the countdown procedures and validate critical models and software interfaces. The modified test will enable engineers to achieve the test objectives critical to launch success.
Engineers have identified a helium check valve that is not functioning as expected, requiring these changes to ensure safety of the flight hardware. Helium is used for several different operations, including purging the engine, or clearing the lines, prior to loading propellants during tanking, as well as draining propellant. A check valve is a type of valve that allows liquid or gas to flow in a particular direction and prevents backflow. The helium check valve is about three inches long and prevents the helium from flowing back out of the rocket.
Following the modified test, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where engineers will evaluate the valve and replace if needed. Teams are confident in the ability to replace the valve once back in the VAB.
NASA will host a teleconference to discuss details on Monday, April 11. Check back at this blog for an update on the countdown timeline prior to the modified wet dress rehearsal testing for the Artemis I mission. NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel.
