On April 5, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced that it would postpone the final test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis mission, which aims to send humans to the Moon, in order to accommodate a SpaceX spacecraft launch scheduled for this weekend.
Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center on February 23, 2022 – (Photo: NASA)
The SLS rocket test was originally set for April 7 at launch pad 39B at Cape Canaveral, Florida. However, at the same time, a SpaceX spacecraft will also be launched from pad 39A, carrying three entrepreneurs and one former astronaut to the International Space Station (ISS). Therefore, this SLS test will take place immediately after the successful launch of the SpaceX vehicle. The 98-meter-long SLS rocket will remain on the launch pad while waiting.
According to Artemis mission manager Mike Sarafin, during the final test before launching the spacecraft to the Moon later this year, all steps of the launch process must be rehearsed, from fueling to the countdown before the rocket ignites.
The SLS rocket testing process began on April 1 and is expected to conclude on April 8. However, NASA engineers have encountered several technical issues as well as unfavorable weather conditions, including an incident where the launch pad was struck by lightning four times during a storm on April 2.
Mike Sarafin stated that these issues are not significant and that NASA engineers have not found any fundamental design flaws. He also noted that recent tests have demonstrated “a part of success.”
Artemis 1 mission will be the first flight of the SLS rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft into lunar orbit. This initial mission will not have astronauts onboard. NASA will decide and announce the timing of the Artemis 1 mission after the SLS rocket testing concludes.
