NASA moon rocket hit by new problem expected to bump astronauts’ lunar trip into April
The space agency revealed the latest issue just a day after it targeted March 6 for the Artemis II mission, humanity’s first flight to the moon in more than half a century. Officials said the helium flow to the rocket’s upper stage was cut off overnight. The flow of solid helium is necessary for cleaning engines and pressurizing fuel tanks.
This helium issue has nothing to do with the hydrogen fuel leaks that marred the Space Launch System rocket countdown rehearsal earlier this month and forced a repeat test.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said a bad filter, valve or connection plate may be to blame for the helium flow stop. Whatever the reason, he stated that the only way to access the area and solve the problem was through the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center.
“We will begin rollback preparations, and that will take the March launch window out of consideration,” Isaacman said, via X . NASA’s next opportunities will be in early or late April.
Earlier in the morning, NASA said it was preparing to send the 98-meter (322 feet) rocket back to its hangar for repairs, while also raising the possibility of doing so at the worksite.
“I understand people are disappointed with this development,” Isaacman said. “This disappointment is felt most by the NASA team who have been working tirelessly to prepare for this major endeavor.” Hydrogen fuel leaks had already delayed Artemis II’s flight around the moon by a month. A second fuel test on Thursday showed almost no leaks, giving managers the confidence to target a March surge. The four astronauts entered a mandatory two-week quarantine on Friday night to avoid germs.
The interrupted helium flow is limited to the temporary cryogenic propulsion stage of the SLS rocket. This upper stage is necessary to place the Orion crew capsule into the appropriate high-altitude orbit around Earth for control after liftoff. It is then expected to separate from Orion and serve as a target for the astronauts in the capsule, allowing them to practice docking techniques for future lunar missions.
During NASA’s Apollo program, 24 astronauts flew to the moon from 1968 to 1972. The new Artemis program has completed only one flight so far; An uncrewed lunar orbital mission in 2022. This first test flight was also plagued by hydrogen fuel leaks before it exploded, as well as a helium problem similar to the one that emerged on Saturday. The first moon landing with a crew under Artemis is still at least a few years away.
