Artemis I: SLS rocket on the pad. Minor damage after Nicole, but launch confirmed

Will it be the right time? It is to be hoped for, if only to finally silence detractors and conspiracy theorists who see nebulous and hidden reasons behind every postponement. In reality, a mission like Artemis I presents so many variables and problems to be solved that every slightest mistake can represent an insurmountable obstacle. If you then put the weather or other external elements into it, the matter becomes even more complicated and you understand how easily delays can accumulate.

We do not want to do it so we will not say that it is the right time, limiting ourselves only to reporting some evidence: the SLS rocket returned to the launch pad e everything is ready for the mid-November appointment, when the first voyage around the moon will be attempted since the time of the Apollo program. BUT there are already negative developments and a confirmed delay, here are the news in the most recent update.

Here is a small summary of what has happened in the last few weeks. Many will recall that the engineers had to return the rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on September 26, just before Hurricane Ian passed in the vicinity of the launch area and after canceling two previous launch attempts. The first dates back to August 29 due to a faulty temperature sensor, the second occurred on September 4, when a leak of liquid hydrogen was identified during the propellant refilling mechanism.

The loss was finally averted following repairs and updated tanking procedures were performed. Once the rocket re-entered the VAB the teams performed standard maintenance to repair minor damage to the thermal protection system and recharge or replace the batteries throughout the system.

According to NASA, the rocket is now ready to face the long journey that involves a tour around the Moon and back to Earth with a landing in the ocean of the Orion capsule.

Now that the November 16 is getting closer and closer, NASA has confirmed not only the day but has also defined times. We thus discover that NASA wants to take advantage of a 69-minute launch window that will open at 06:07 am, according to our time zone. So let’s see what times those who intend to follow all the developments from the first connection to the start must be noted.

• 12 November at 01.00: Pre-departure media briefing featuring Mike Sarafin, Artemis Mission Manager, NASA Headquarters, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis Launch Director, Exploration Ground Systems Program, Kennedy, Emily Nelson, Chief Director of flight, NASA Johnson and Melody Lovin, meteorological officer, US Space Launch Delta 45.
• November 12 at 18.00: Second briefing with the participation of Jeremy Parsons, Deputy Director of the Exploration Ground Systems Program, NASA Kennedy and Melody Lovin, Meteorological Officer, US Space Launch Delta 45.
• November 13th at 8.30 pm: start of the tanking operations (loading of the propellant).
• November 14th at 03:30: start of the live pre-launch
• 16 November 07.04 LAUNCH: originally the 69-minute window should have opened at 6 am on November 14th, but as per recent update, tropical storm Nicole forced NASA to revise plans. The new hours foresee the opening of a 2-hour launch window starting at 07:04 on November 16. This would result in a comeback with splashdown scheduled for Friday 11 December. If necessary, NASA has a backup launch opportunity set for Saturday, November 19, and even if this is disregarded, further launch opportunities will be considered until November 27.

As on other occasions, the event can be followed live via NASA Live TV, the official web page and social channels of the US space agency. The timetable is not very comfortable for us, but you will find all the updates on the HDblog pages. Of course, we cannot rule out further postponements and NASA has predicted that the launch can be held between 12 and 27 November as the deadline. More details in the coming days.

11/11

Now that storm Nicole has passed, NASA continues to plan the launch of the Artemis I mission from the agency’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida, aiming for Wednesday, November 16. The plans are therefore unchanged and if everything continues in the right direction the two-hour launch window will open at 7.04, as anticipated in the original news. Despite the reassurances of NASA there was a lot of concern about the possible damage that the storm would have done to the rocket with the attached Orion capsule, but apparently the impact of the storm was minimal and there should be no further critical issues.

The teams conducted in-depth assessments at Launch Complex 39B starting Thursday evening, closely inspecting the SLS, Orion, mobile launcher, and other pad-related assets to confirm that there were no significant impacts from Hurricane Nicolewhich fortunately passed more than 100 km away, south of the launch pad.

In addition to physical inspections, remote monitoring was carried out using high-resolution sensors and cameras, carried out during the storm by a team positioned in a safe place at the Kennedy Space Center.

The engineers performed detailed analyzes, which confirm that the winds experienced during the storm had no adverse effects on the rocket’s structural strength. Although peak winds were measured by sensors at different heights on the pad, all measurements remained below 75% of the design limits, so an intentionally conservative parameter was used as a reference to widen the margin of calm.

Technicians are also working on repairing several minor elements of the stack. Most repairs involve loose putty and minor components. As part of normal launch preparation, engineers are verifying that all systems are healthy. and the checks will continue even today. We will then move on to the final software and hardware tests, required before launch, which will take place on Sunday. Then in the late afternoon the Artemis I mission management team will meet to review launch preparations, but everything seems to be rowing in the right direction.

09/11

It really seems that the Artemis I mission is bewitched, at least from a meteorological point of view given the latest developments released by NASA. The new tropical storm nicknamed Nicole represents the umpteenth threat to the flight, therefore it was decided to postpone once again the operation that from November 14 now sees the candidate date in November 16.

There is currently no definitive timetable but only a rough one, which provides for the opening of a 2-hour launch window starting at 07:04 on November 16. This would result in a comeback with splashdown expected no earlier than Friday 11 December. If necessary, NASA has a backup launch opportunity set for Saturday, November 19, and even if this is disregarded, further launch opportunities will be considered until November 27.

Based on the forecasted weather conditions it was decided that the safest option is to keep the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft safe on the pad, waiting for the storm to subside.

The SLS rocket is designed to withstand winds of up to 136km / h and current forecasts say the launch pad should be safe. The rocket is also designed to withstand heavy rains and all the elements that make it up have been designed to prevent water intrusion, so once the storm is over, everything should work smoothly.