Artemis I NASA SLS space rocket returns to launch position, look at Artemis IV

In the first half of October it was announced that the big rocket NASA SLS of the Artemis I mission will be launched on November 14, 2022 taking advantage of a 69-minute window that will open at 6:07 (Italian time). In recent weeks, the space agency and its partners have worked to allow the repairs to be completed and to allow it to be moved Space Launch System and the Orion capsule from VAB to Launch Pad 39B thanks to the large crawler Crawler-transporter.

There NASA has therefore chosen not to use the entire launch period considering that the first useful day would have been 12 November. The backup options have been identified for November 16th at 7:04 am (Italian time) or November 19th at 7:45 am Italian time. The windows will be 120 minutes. Should the launch actually take place on November 14, the duration of the mission will be 25.5 days. The landing of Orion will therefore take place on December 9th. Here is the latest information available.

NASA SLS and Artemis I: preparations are being made for launch on November 14th

At the end of October, the agency had specified that the repairs of the problems identified during the general inspection after the cryogenic test were almost completed (operations which were then concluded in the following days). Some tests were also carried out on boosters with solid-state propellant and new batteries were installed for flight. Also it upper stage (ICPS) has received new batteries to ensure maximum safety.

Even the batteries of the FTS system (Flight Termination System) by NASA SLS have been replaced so that they can again receive certification for launch from the Eastern Range. The instrumentation present on board the Orion capsule it is now fully functional again. Everything is therefore ready for take-off in mid-November.

Cliff Lanham (from NASA) he also replied to one of the questions that media and enthusiasts asked themselves “when will the two solid-state boosters expire?”. Lanham stated that one has an expiration date set for December 9, 2022 while the other for December 14, 2022. Jim Free (associate administrator), however, added that NASA could extend the validity period following new analyzes.

Meanwhile NASA SLS And Orion were brought into position for launch. At 4:17 am on 3 November (Italian time) the Crawler-transporter started the journey of about 6.4 km to carry the rocket and capsule towards the launch pad, arriving then at 13:30 on the same day. However, the space agency is already looking beyond, not just to Artemis III and III but also ad Artemis IV.

NASA is already looking to Artemis IV

In accordance to reportedduring a meeting held on November 3, we talked about what will be the evolution of NASA SLS with the more powerful version known as Block 1B. This will allow both a crew and heavy loads to be brought to the Moon in order to reduce the number of launches required.

In particular, starting with Artemis IVlo Space Launch System it will be updated with the Exploration Upper Stage (EUS) which will replace the ICPS. This will include four RL10 engines (instead of one), new larger tanks, a new payload adapter compatible with both the Orion capsule and various payloads. The performance speaks of being able to launch 40% more mass than Block I. The new EUS is being built at Michoud Assembly Facility and will be tested at Stennis Space Center in the future.

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