Despite a new problem with the valves, NASA says it is ready to move forward with the next phase of the megarget test that will send the unmanned Artemis 1 mission to the moon in November.
Initially , Space Launch System The SLS did well during the Green Run test series this fall. However, problems with the ground equipment hampered the final “rehearsal” procedures until late December, when NASA was trying to fill the base stage with fuel.
The agency and contractor Boeing, which is building the base stage of the missile, made another attempt last month, and a new problem arose during the next test attempt on December 20, NASA. He said in a blog post Tuesday (January 5). But a fix has been implemented that would allow everyone to proceed with the next stage of testing – a “hot fire”, which will not happen before January 17, NASA officials said in the blog post.
“the end of [Dec. 20] The test automatically stopped a few minutes early due to the valve’s closing timing. “NASA added.” Post-data analysis determined that the expected valve shutdown was off by a split second, and that the hardware, software, and control unit of the whole stage were properly performed to stop the test. The team has corrected the timing and is ready to begin the final test of the Green Run series.
Video: NASA’s base stage SLS missile will soon be tested
Related: NASA’s massive SLS test of “hot fire” delayed after early shutdown refueling experiment
In the same statement, Julie Basler, SLS stages manager at NASA, added that other parts of the test went according to plan, including the green driver, primary stage, and stage controller. There were also no leaks during the two-hour period when the missile tanks were loaded with fuel. “The data from all the tests so far has given us confidence to go ahead with the fire,” Basler added.
The hot blaze will proceed to testing all four SLS core stages RS-25 engines – The same type of engines are used on the space shuttle. During the test, the engines will fire for up to eight minutes on NASA’s test stand Stennis Space Center In Mississippi. In the event hot flames continue to be in planning, NASA and Boeing plan to revamp the base stage and ship it by barge to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, for final assembly and launch.
NASA is working hard to equip all its equipment to send humans into orbit around the moon by 2023 – a mission that has already signed a memorandum of agreement with Canada. To send one of that nation’s astronauts around the moon. A manned moon landing is then scheduled for another mission in 2024, using some Astronauts “Team Artemis” Announced by NASA last month.
Also in December, Congressional blanket spending bill, which NASA gave $ 23.3 billion for the 2021 fiscal year, $ 850 million has been allocated to the Artemis human landing system, nearly a quarter of NASA’s $ 3.3 billion request. Before confirming the amount of spending, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstein warned the National Space Council that a full budget request was necessary to reach the moon in 2024. “Ultimately, if we don’t get $ 3.3 billion, it gets more and more difficult,” he said. at that time.
Follow Elizabeth Howell on Twitter @howellspace. Follow us On TwitterSpacedotcom And on Facebook.
“Професійний вирішувач проблем. Тонко чарівний любитель бекону. Геймер. Завзятий алкогольний ботанік. Музичний трейлер”
