The Moon serves as a background for the Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on March 21, 2022. The SLS and Orion atop the cell launcher have been transported to the pad on crawler-transporter 2 for a prelaunch take a look at referred to as a moist costume rehearsal. Artemis I would be the first built-in take a look at of the SLS and Orion spacecraft. In later missions, NASA will land the primary lady and the primary individual of colour on the floor of the Moon, paving the way in which for a long-term lunar presence and serving as a stepping stone on the way in which to Mars. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
Overnight, launch controllers powered up the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket’s core stage. Communications hyperlinks between Orion and the Mission Control Center at Johnson Space Center in Houston have been verified, and preparations of the 4 RS-25 engines, which is not going to be lit throughout the moist costume rehearsal, continued. Over the following a number of hours, controllers will cost Orion’s batteries and conduct ultimate preparations and closeout actions for the umbilicals.
The umbilicals present energy, communications, coolant, and gas to completely different elements of the rocket. Additional equipment present entry and stabilize the rocket and spacecraft. During launch, every umbilical releases from its connection level, permitting the rocket and spacecraft to elevate off safely from the launch pad.
The mission administration workforce is scheduled to satisfy at 11 a.m. EDT to assessment the standing of operations. The subsequent replace can be posted after the conclusion of the assembly.
NASA will present stay updates on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account. NASA can be streaming stay video of the rocket and spacecraft at Launch Pad 39B on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel.
