Roket Sistem Peluncuran Luar Angkasa (SLS) NASA dengan pesawat ruang angkasa Orion terlihat di atas landasan peluncuran seluler di Kompleks Peluncuran 39B saat tim peluncuran Artemis I bersiap untuk upaya berikutnya dalam pengujian latihan pakaian basah, seperti roket SpaceX Falcon 9 dengan pesawat ruang angkasa Kru melihat Naga perusahaan di atas landasan peluncuran di Kompleks Peluncuran 39A sebagai persiapan untuk Axiom Mission 1 (Ax-1) berlanjut, Rabu, 6 April 2022, di NASA’s Kennedy Space Center di Florida. Misi Ax-1 adalah misi astronot pribadi pertama ke Stasiun Luar Angkasa Internasional. Anggota kru Ax-1 Komandan Michael Lopez-Alegria dari Spanyol dan Amerika Serikat, pilot Larry Connor dari Amerika Serikat, spesialis misi Eitan Stipe dari Israel dan Mark Bathy dari Kanada diluncurkan pada 8 April dari Launch Complex 39A di Kennedy Space Center. Kredit: NASA/Joel Kosky

interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) with the ground systems at Kennedy. Due to the changes in loading procedures required for the modified test, wet dress rehearsal testing is slated to resume with call to stations on Tuesday, April 12 and tanking on Thursday, April 14. Wet dress rehearsal is an opportunity to refine the countdown procedures and validate critical models and software interfaces. The modified test will enable engineers to achieve the test objectives critical to launch success.  

Engineers have identified a helium check valve that is not functioning as expected, requiring these changes to ensure safety of the flight hardware. Helium is used for several different operations, including purging the engine, or clearing the lines, prior to loading propellants during tanking, as well as draining propellant. A check valve is a type of valve that allows liquid or gas to flow in a particular direction and prevents backflow. The helium check valve is about three inches long and prevents the helium from flowing back out of the rocket. 

Following the modified test, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where engineers will evaluate the valve and replace if needed. Teams are confident in the ability to replace the valve once back in the VAB.   

NASA will host a teleconference to discuss details on Monday, April 11. Check back at this blog for an update on the countdown timeline prior to the modified wet dress rehearsal testing for the Artemis I mission. NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel.