Teams Confirm No Damage to Flight Hardware, Focus on November for LaunchTeams at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida conducted initial inspections Friday to assess potential impacts from Hurricane Ian. There was no damage to Artemis flight hardware, and facilities are in good shape with only minor water intrusion identified in a few locations. Next, engineers will extend access platforms around the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) to prepare for additional inspections and start preparation for the next launch attempt, including retesting the flight termination system.As teams complete post-storm recovery operations, NASA has determined it will focus Artemis I launch planning efforts on the launch period that opens Nov. 12 and closes Nov. 27. Over the coming days, managers will assess the scope of work to perform while in the VAB and identify a specific date for the next launch attempt. Focusing efforts on the November launch period allows time for employees at Kennedy to address the needs of their families and homes after the storm and for teams to identify additional checkouts needed before returning to the pad for launch.Author NASAPosted on September 30, 2022 4:46 pm Categories UncategorizedTags Artemis I
All platforms in High Bay 3 are extended minus J level, which will be extended today. Teams have worked through all external inspections. Orion was powered up and battery charged yesterday with no issues. Crew access arm preps are wrapping up today.
Crews in VAB continue working ops for @NASA_SLS & #Artemis I. @NASA_Orion hatch opening today – putting on window soft covers. Crawler returned to the "yard" Mon. for routine maintenance. Crawlerway conditioning will occur over the next few weeks to prep, ahead of roll to pad.
Inspections Underway for Rocket, Spacecraft Before Setting Launch DateEngineers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are in the process of preparing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the next launch attempt in November for the Artemis I mission. Check-outs conducted this week will allow NASA to finalize the work schedule before rolling SLS and Orion back to Launch Pad 39B.Since resuming work after Hurricane Ian, teams have extended work platforms around SLS and Orion to assess the exterior and access internal components. Exterior inspections will note any foam or cork from the thermal protection system on the rocket or spacecraft that might need to be repaired. Teams will replace the flight batteries for the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and the boosters, as well as the batteries for the flight termination system in the boosters and core stage.Work will also include charging the CubeSats that are equipped to be re-charged and have elected to do so. Inside Orion, work will include replenishing the specimens and batteries for the biology investigations riding within the capsule, as well as recharging the batteries associated with the crew seat accelerometers and space radiation experiments.While teams inside the Vehicle Assemble Building complete check-outs, managers are coordinating with the U.S. Space Force to reserve launch dates on the Eastern Range and working with other parts of the agency to evaluate any potential constraints before NASA sets a target date for the next launch attempt.Although the Kennedy area received minimal impacts from Hurricane Ian, many team members who live farther west experienced larger effects from the storm and are still recovering. Managers are working with teams to ensure they have the time and support needed to address the needs of their families and homes.Author NASA Posted on October 6
Pending successful FTS (Flight Termination System) work in the VAB, SLS rollout for Artemis I is tracking November 7-8. This would allow for a November 14 launch attempt.These are current targets and are very much subject to change.Pic: Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) for NSF.
High Bay 4 doors are open today at the VAB giving a nice view of Artemis I in High Bay 3. (phone pic)#WeAreGoing #Artemis
Does anyone know the status of the hitchhiker craft? Will they be able to get a battery charge, etc., before rollout?Sorry, I see the previous post answering this. Thanks.
https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1574459046882676738QuoteOnce SLS returns to 39B after Hurricane Ian, Artemis I has multiple launch windows available through the second half of October and through November.Graphic by Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist)
Once SLS returns to 39B after Hurricane Ian, Artemis I has multiple launch windows available through the second half of October and through November.Graphic by Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist)
NASA Sets Date for Next Launch Attempt for Artemis I Moon Mission NASA is targeting the next launch attempt of the Artemis I mission for Monday, Nov. 14 with liftoff of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft planned during a 69-minute launch window that opens at 12:07 a.m. EST. Artemis I is an uncrewed flight test to launch SLS and send Orion around the Moon and back to Earth to thoroughly test its system before flights with astronauts. Inspections and analyses over the previous week have confirmed minimal work is required to prepare the rocket and spacecraft to roll out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the roll-back due to Hurricane Ian. Teams will perform standard maintenance to repair minor damage to the foam and cork on the thermal protection system and recharge or replace batteries on the rocket, several secondary payloads, and the flight termination system. The agency plans to roll the rocket back to the launch pad as early as Friday, Nov. 4. NASA has requested back-up launch opportunities for Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 1:04 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1:45 a.m., which are both two-hour launch windows. A launch on Nov. 14 would result in a mission duration of about 25-and-a-half days with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean Friday, Dec. 9. Author NASA Posted on October 12, 2022 9:00 amCategories Uncategorized Tags Artemis I
@NASA is targeting Nov. 14 at 12:07am EST for the next launch attempt of #Artemis I. Inspections of @NASA_SLS and @NASA_Orion have confirmed minimal work is required prior to the roll to Pad 39B, which is targeted for no earlier than Nov. 4. MORE: go.nasa.gov/3rQ0XOO
On Oct. 12, teams replaced ICPS batteries and powered up @NASA_Orion for battery charging and to load flight software. Work is on track for @NASA_SLS to roll out of the VAB on Nov. 4 for our next #Artemis I launch attempt on Nov. 14 at 12:07 a.m. EDT.
SLS Artemis I rollout currently tracking November 5, pending Flight Termination System (FTS) battery changeouts, which are ongoing this week.Artemis news:nasaspaceflight.com/news/artemis/
Ready for @NASA to begin humanity’s return to the Moon on November 14? Meet me at midnight. Okay, fine. #Artemis I is scheduled to launch at 12:07 a.m. EST, but you get the point.
The Nov. 12-27 launch period for Artemis I may be shorter than it appears. NASA currently targeting Nov. 14. Nov. 20 and 21 not available, and due to Holiday Airspace Release Plan, it's possible the Florida range may close from Nov. 22-27 for air travel. So maybe just Nov. 14-19?
Vehicle Assembly Building High Bay 3 platforms A, H, J, and K have been retracted in preparation for roll to Launch Pad 39B for #Artemis I. Platforms B, C, D, E, and G will be retracted this week, and F will be retracted last, after final FTS testing is completed.
