JAKARTA - After addressing engine problems, fuel channel leaks, major storms, and through careful consideration, NASA has finally set a date for the launch of the Artemis I mission next month.
At exactly 12.07 EST on Monday, November 14, NASA will conduct a test flight without the crew of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to circle the Moon until it returns to Earth.
However, NASA also set a backup launch date if there were any problems on the mission again, namely Wednesday, November 16 starting at 00:04 EST, and Saturday, November 19, starting at 01:45 EST.
Currently, SLS and Orion rockets have been stored in NASA's rocket hangar at the Florida Kennedy Space Center, USA since September 26 to protect them from damage from Hurricane Ian,
Because there were no more storms, NASA then prepared the rocket and spacecraft to the runway and set a mission launch date. They plan to return SLS and Orion to the 39B complex on Friday 4 November.
Launching The Independent, Thursday, October 13, NASA first tried to launch the Artemis I mission on August 29, but failed due to cooling problems from one of the rocket engines.
NASA's second launch attempt on September 3 also failed, as a liquid hydrogen leak at a connection between a channel pumping fuel from the ground and rocket fuel tanks.
Then NASA made improvements and adjustments to its pre-launch procedure. They carried out tests on September 21 to show that large rockets should no longer leak hydrogen during refueling.
Unfortunately, the last attempt was also hindered by the arrival of Hurricane Ian. It is hoped that next month's launch will be successful.
If the successful Artemis I mission is to proceed to Artemis II, which is scheduled for spring 2024 with four astronauts flying on the same flight path to and around the Moon then returning to Earth.
After Artemis II, Artemis III will launch around 2025. The Artemis III mission aims to place two human astronauts on the surface of the lunar South Pole.
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