It is held in place by a massive metal tower and supported by a titanium and special steel structure, which sits atop a reinforced concrete mound that forms Launch Pad 39B. The purpose of the Artemis I mission is to test the entire new space and Earth architecture developed and built by the Agency to return humans to the surface of the Moon in 2025 and beyond.
The first and foremost effort is the Space Launch System (SLS), which is now ready for its third chance to fly into space for the first time. It is expected to precisely complete the Artemis I lunar mission, without a human crew, but with three dummies filled with sensors. And he also needs to prove that the more than $23 billion US taxpayers have paid in taxpayer money hasn’t gone to waste.
PHOTO/NASA-Keegan Barber – NASA Administrator Bill Nelson explains to USAID chief Samantha Power that the purpose of the Artemis I mission is to test the new architecture for the SLS to return astronauts to the Moon
Military meteorologists from the US Space Force’s Delta 45 Unit predicted a few hours ago that there is a 90% chance of favorable weather conditions for the launch. Liftoff is scheduled for next Wednesday, November 16, at 07:04 PEST, with a two-hour window of opportunity.
But in Florida it will be 1:04 am. on the same day, and making an inaugural flight of the Artemis I significance at night, in severely reduced visibility, is not something NASA likes, despite having advanced optical systems to follow the SLS ascent second by second. The Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003) space shuttle disasters and the loss of 14 astronauts weigh heavily.
PHOTO/NASA-Joel Kowsky – Perched atop Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the massive SLS launcher stands 98 meters tall, weighs 2,600 tons and is capable of lifting 27 tons
Green light from the Steering Committee
Firing at night is an added concern for launch manager Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, who already had to abort due to technical problems the countdown to the previous two landing attempts – on August 29 and September 3 – that left the towering SLS, 98 meters. , which weighs around 2,600 tons and can lift up to 27 tons, on the ground.
However, the launch attempt for the 16th “has been cleared by the Artemis I Launch Steering Committee” at its meeting on Sunday, NASA confirmed in a statement dated 10:01 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13 – 04:01 a.m. Monday – after the review of launch preparations.
The countdown started today, November 14, at 01:54 local time (07:54 in mainland Spain). Dozens of technicians and engineers from NASA and the main companies involved — Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Aerojet Rocketdyne, Northrop Grumman, Teledyne and Jacobs — are trying to fix the “minor problems” that NASA says Hurricane Nicole caused to the SLS: the Orion capsule ejection system and to an electrical connector in the web that injects liquid hydrogen into the rocket.
PHOTO/NASA-Cory Huston – Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson already had to abort the countdown of two previous landing attempts, on August 29 and September 3, due to technical problems
The SLS has been challenging in the hot Florida sun since the early morning hours of November 4th. It was at the launch site after leaving the massive 160m high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where it is safe and secure from rain and storms. But a major setback occurred and a warning was given.
The US National Hurricane Center reported the arrival of Tropical Storm Nicole, which was set to sweep across much of Florida around November 10th… and the SLS was at the launch site on ramp 39B. What to do?
PHOTO/NASA-Bill Ingalls – Technicians and engineers from NASA and the major companies involved try to fix minor problems before liftoff, such as the failure of an electrical connector in the web that injects liquid hydrogen into the rocket
Tough decision
Based on data provided by meteorologists from the National Hurricane Center, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Space Force, the Artemis 1 mission steering committee had to decide whether to leave the SLS launcher in the open and in his place or to get back to VAB.
The decision was the subject of much debate at a Nov. 6 meeting of Artemis I senior staff, which included top mission manager Mike Sarafin, launch manager Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, senior flight manager Rick LaBrode, Orion program manager Howard Hu and ground systems program manager Mike Bolger.
NASA’s associate administrator for exploration systems development, Jim Free, explained that “although some were hesitant about what to do, both the launch manager and I were in favor of keeping SLS on its pad.” After a long discussion and “in light of the data, we all finally agreed: the launcher remains in place.”
PHOTO/NASA – Commander Moonikin Campos sits in the mission commander’s seat, filled with sensors that collect data on the vibrations and accelerations future astronauts will experience on their journey to the Moon
Protective measures were taken to secure the moorings, protect the most sensitive parts and seal off any possible inflow of rainwater. Fortunately, wind gusts were below the 132 km/h certification limit set for the giant SLS, which features the Orion space capsule on top. Even so, the damage was described as “minor”.
However, if the 16th launch is canceled for any reason, “NASA will try again three days later on the 19th,” Free confirmed. There is still a possibility of a launch on the 25th, the last possible launch in November.
PHOTO/NASA – Complete sequence of the Artemis I mission, which will orbit the Moon, beyond the far side of the Moon, farther than any space capsule has ever gone
NASA has informed that the live broadcast of the launch will start at 18:00 PEST at the link:
