🏗️ Mobile Launcher 1 Upgrades for ArtemisThe mobile launcher's 92k-pound crew access arm will provide flight crew with access to the @NASA_Orion spacecraft atop the @NASA_SLS rocket.This functional test is the start of validating that the access arm can retract within 45 seconds from its extended 190° position in case of an emergency on Launch Pad 39B.
🏗️ Mobile Launcher 1 Upgrades for ArtemisToday, teams at the mobile launcher west park site at @NASAKennedy performed a functional test of the crew access arm.This time-lapse shows the retraction of the arm during today's test. More to come...
🏗️ Mobile Launcher 1 Upgrades for ArtemisThis time-lapse from today shows the mobile launcher's crew access arm in motion as teams from Exploration Ground Systems conduct a functional test at @NASAKennedy's west park site.This test of the 92k-pound arm and hinges, in addition to more coming soon, are all in preparation for future crewed #Artemis missions.
Something has been added to mobile launcher 1 at @NASAKennedy. Stay tuned for more... #Artemis
Yesterday, teams at the mobile launcher west park site at @NASAKennedy re-installed a modified "rainbird" on mobile launcher 1.Rainbirds are large water nozzles located on 0-deck of the mobile launcher that release high volumes of water when the Space Launch System rocket lifts off. The rainbird system protects the vehicle, launch pad, and mobile launcher by absorbing some of the heat and energy generated during launch.
📷 More photos of yesterday's modified rainbird re-installation. The rainbird system helped reduce damage to the mobile launcher and ensured a successful liftoff for @NASAArtemis I.Next Steps: Teams will continue making upgrades to mobile launcher 1 at the park site at @NASAKennedy. Stay tuned for ongoing coverage.
🏗 Mobile Launcher 1 Upgrades for ArtemisThis weekend, teams at the west park site at @NASAKennedy worked to lift a platform that will be used for mobile launcher 1's emergency egress system. This platform will be where the emergency egress system baskets interface with the tower, which will allow the crew of #Artemis II to ride down to Launch Pad 39B in the case of an emergency.
For the first time since the Artemis 1 launch campaign, ML-1 is on the move towards LC-39B to verify repairs and modifications made since launch. 📸 - @NASASpaceflight Follow along here ➡️ nsf.live/space-coast
Casual KSC traffic jam.“Ope sorry just got stuck behind the heaviest self powered & moving object in the world atm”📸 - @NASASpaceflight
🏁 Now: Our teams are finishing their crawl of mobile launcher 1 to Launch Pad 39B.As we get closer to launching @NASAArtemis II, our teams will conduct various tests and continue upgrades for both the mobile launcher 1 and the launch pad.
The CAA (Crew Access Arm) has swung out with the White Room, as it does with SLS sat on the ML-1, to allow astronauts and pad crew to access Orion.nsf.live/spacecoast
In June we covered our team's re-installation of a rainbird head on mobile launcher 1; now, all five rainbird heads have been installed in preparation for the @NASAArtemis II mission. The new designs, "Pringle Head" and "Beak," divert water away from the mobile launcher 1's cameras to support better launch imagery.
Checking in on NASA's huge Mobile Launchers for SLS, NSF's Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) spoke with David Sumner, Senior Project Manager for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS).
from tweet:QuoteChecking in on NASA's huge Mobile Launchers for SLS, NSF's Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) spoke with David Sumner, Senior Project Manager for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems (EGS).https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2023/09/nasa-ml-1-artemis-ii-ml-2-construction/
Not since STS-116 when Space Shuttle Discovery launched in December of 2006 has a flight crew walked across a crew access arm at 39B. “We have to certify the Crew Access Arm for Artemis II”, said Sumner. “The CAA requires over 100 swings that we have to do for certification, so we’re going to be in a position here in the next couple weeks to start those swings, and we’re ready as the hardware is basically complete.”
From Nathan's most recent article:Quote from: Nathan BarkerNot since STS-116 when Space Shuttle Discovery launched in December of 2006 has a flight crew walked across a crew access arm at 39B. “We have to certify the Crew Access Arm for Artemis II”, said Sumner. “The CAA requires over 100 swings that we have to do for certification, so we’re going to be in a position here in the next couple weeks to start those swings, and we’re ready as the hardware is basically complete.”Why the h*ck must the ML-1 CAA go thru over 100 swings to be crew certified?The last time a CAA was crew certified (the Crew Dragon CAA at LC-39A) it went thru less than a dozen swings.What's the difference here? What makes the ML-1 CAA so different that it requires ~10 times as many swings to be crew certified?
Water Deluge System test at 39B during the continuing pad operations for Mobile Launcher 1 (ML-1).Taken from live views here: nsf.live/spacecoastAlso check out our recent video on the variety of water deluge systems:
NASA KennedyKSC-20230720-PH-FMX01_0002Teams with Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida make upgrades and repairs on mobile launcher 1 at its park site location on July 20, 2023, ahead of the first critical ground testing for Artemis II. Under Artemis, the mobile launcher will transport NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B for liftoff. Artemis II will be the first Artemis mission flying crew aboard Orion. Photo credit: NASA/Frank MichauxNASA image use policy.
