NASA completes crucial Artemis 1 rocket fuel test successfully.

September 27 may see the next attempt to launch the Artemis 1 mission.

NASA

Since NASA has accomplished everything necessary to call the fuel test for its rocket a success, the next Artemis 1 launch attempt could come as soon as next week. After a second launch attempt was canceled in late August, NASA needed to confirm the modifications it made by testing the addition of super-cooled fuel to the Space Launch System's tanks. After discovering a persistent hydrogen leak in one of the SLS's fuel lines, the ground crew at Kennedy Space Center attempted to fix it three times that day. The expedition was ultimately postponed since the team proved unsuccessful.

A few days later, the crew found that a slight over-pressurization of the SLS rocket's core booster tank had set off the leak. Filling the rocket's tank with propellants is a delicate process that requires gradual changes in temperature and pressure to avoid the fast fluctuations that led to the last leak. After finding a slight indentation in one liquid hydrogen seal that may have contributed to the leak, the team's engineers replaced all the seals on the rocket.

The engineers discovered another hydrogen leak during the fuel test, but after some investigation and adjustment, the leak was brought down to "within allowed rates." Because of this, the pre-pressurization test could be carried out, which involved increasing the pressure within the liquid hydrogen tank to simulate conditions shortly before liftoff.

According to Artemis 1 launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, the test went "very well," and the crew achieved all of their goals. Next, NASA will examine the test results to determine if they are sufficient to proceed with a launch attempt on the initially planned date of September 27.