NASA to fuel Artemis-1 moon rocket to check for leaks ahead of launch

The American space agency, NASA, will reportedly undertake a tanking operation this week to check for any more leaks and repairs in its rockets, a week before launching the Artemis-1 rocket to the moon.

Under this tanking operation, NASA will load the rocket with fuel which will then be utilized to push the Artemis-1 mission to the Moon. This will set the platform for future crewed lunar missions.

The Space Launch System has reportedly been stationed in a launchpad, and NASA will conduct the tanking operation at the launchpad only. NASA has stated that the demonstration test will let teams confirm that the hydrogen leaks that were noticed during the Artemis-1 launch attempt in early September have been repaired. It will also allow the team members to evaluate the updated propellant loading procedure and conduct all the additional required evaluations.

The upcoming demonstration will only conclude when all the test objectives have been fulfilled.

This will be the third attempt to launch the Artemis-1 rocket to the moon, and although the launch has been scheduled for September 27, it will ultimately depend on the success of the September 21 operation. If the launch is delayed due to some unforeseen reason, the launch will be rescheduled for October 2.

The launch vehicle has been stationed on the pad for almost a month now, and after the engineers asked for more time to clear logistical and technical issues, the launch was delayed to September 27.

According to reports, the repair works on the Artemis-1 launch vehicle have been completed, which developed certain leaks in the final week of August, while NASA attempted the second launch attempt.

NASA has also reported that after disconnecting the side plates on the interface as well as detaching them from the ground, the Artemis team was able to replace the damaged seals on the core stage of the Space Launch System, which was related to the leak of the liquid hydrogen.

Source credit: https://www.msn.com/en-in/news/other/nasa-to-reload-fuel-on-artemis-1-moon-rocket-to-check-leaks-ahead-of-launch/ar-AA11Z98W