When will NASA's Artemis I lunar mission finally be ready for launch?

October 13, 2022  14:03

The launch of NASA's unmanned mission to the moon postponed several times – could take place on Nov. 14. At 00:07 EST (20:07 Yerevan time), according to NASA, the 69-minute launch window will open, and if all goes according to plan, the unmanned Artemis I mission will launch when the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is launched, carrying the Orion spacecraft.

Past launch attempts in recent months have been delayed due to technical and weather difficulties. First, there were technical problems, including a fuel leak. Then the next launch attempt, scheduled for September 27, was postponed due to Hurricane Ian.

The rocket and ship are now in the Vehicle Assembly Building hangar at Kennedy Space Center, and during this time, NASA experts inspected them and checked their readiness for flight, because both have been in a fully assembled state for quite some time – since Oct. 21, 2021.

On November 4, NASA plans to return the SLS rocket with the Orion spacecraft back to the launch pad, and 10 days later to hold their launch. According to NASA, to prepare the rocket for launch will need to do some work, including – to fix minor damage to the thermal protection system, as well as to recharge or replace batteries.

If all goes as planned, the Orion spacecraft will spend 25.5 days in flight before landing in the Pacific Ocean. The purpose of this mission is to test the rocket and the Orion unmanned capsule attached to it in preparation for future missions to the moon with humans on board.

If the launch fails on Nov. 14, there are two backup dates: Nov. 16 at 1:04 a.m. EST and Nov. 19 at 1:45 a.m. EST.


 
 
 
 
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