ARTEMIS LAUNCH LIVE: Second attempt for historic lunar lift off from Florida scrubbed

ARTEMIS LAUNCH LIVE: Second attempt for historic lunar lift off from Florida scrubbed

Historic Artemis I lunar launch scrubbed, again, over leaky fuel line


NASA officially called off the historic launch for the Airtimes I lunar rocket after repeated failures to fix a leaking fuel line to its propellant tank.

The ship was set to launch at 2:17 EST from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, but a leak of hydrogen fuel in the morning stalled the plans.

Scientists attempted a troubleshooting plan to close the fuel valve used, drain it, and then 'increase pressure on a ground transfer line using helium to try to reseal it.'

It comes after the first launch attempt was rescheduled following an issue with one of rocket's engines on Monday.

NASA will likely set the new, third attempt, at launch for either Monday or Tuesday.

It's yet another setback to mark NASA's return to the moon, more than 50 years after the Apollo program.

The ambitious Artemis program, a NASA partnership with SpaceX and the space agencies of Europe, Japan, and Canada, eventually aims to establish a lunar base as a stepping stone to interplanetary space missions.

NASA is expected to hold a press conference in the coming hours to discuss the problem and set the next launch date.

16:03

Artemis I at 'no go' as team waits for orders to scrub second attempt at lunar launch

The team for the Artemis I lunar rocket reported a 'no go' for launch this Saturday after three plans failed to fix a leaking fuel line to its propellant tank.

The team is waiting for the final say from NASA on the future of the launch, which will most likely be scrubbed until either Monday or Tuesday.

It comes after the launch was already rescheduled following an issue with one of rocket's engines earlier this week.

The leak occurred just after 7 a.m., but NASA continues to flow liquid hydrogen into the lunar rocket, which was only 10 percent filled with more than 51,000 gallons of its 537,000 gallon capacity.

The team for the Artemis I lunar rocket reported a 'no go' for launch this Saturday after three plans failed to fix a leaking fuel line to its propellant tank

15:41

NASA's rocket launch schedule for Artemis I mission could be impacted by Tropical Storm Earl

The launch of the Artemis I rocket, which was postponed earlier this week following an issue with one of rocket's engines, is set to begin at 2:17 EST from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

However, weather disturbances and a tropical storm near Florida could scrub the flight and reschedule the plan for either Monday, or Tuesday.

The Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron said weather should be 60 percent go at the beginning of the two-hour launch window on Saturday afternoon, improving to 80 percent by the time of lift off.

Temperatures are expected to be in the upper 80s to lower 90s along the Space Coast, and conditions remain humid as Tropical Storm Earl approaches Florida's mainland.

15:24

Artemis Mission timeline: Rocket will reach the moon in six days and spend between 26-42 days in space

As the Artemis I rocket prepares for its historic lunar launch on Saturday afternoon, it will take it's Orion capsule six days to reach the moon.

Orion is set to make a flyby of the Moon on day six of its journey, swooping within 60 miles of the lunar surface.

While scientists gave the mission window of 26 to 42 days duration, they expect the trip to last about 37 days.

Orion is planned to make a full swing around the moon before coming back to Earth for a splash down in the Pacific scheduled for October 11.

The ambitious Artemis program, a NASA partnership with SpaceX and the space agencies of Europe, Japan, and Canada, eventually aims to establish a lunar base as a stepping stone to interplanetary space missions.

Orion is planned to make a full swing around the moon before coming back to Earth for a splash down in the Pacific scheduled for October 11.

15:05

NASA continues to fill up Artemis I rocket despite persistent leak as they pursue Plan C to fix the error

As NASA pursues a third plan to fix a fuel-line link to Artemis I's propellant rocket, they have not stopped attempts to fill the tank.

The leak occurred just after 7 a.m., but NASA continues to flow liquid hydrogen into the lunar rocket, which is now 10 percent filled with more than 51,000 gallons of its 537,000 gallon capacity.

'We’ve been going through a number of troubleshooting steps,' said Derriol Nail with NASA communications during live commentary. “So now we’re waiting next steps.'

The latest troubleshooting plan involves adding heat and pressure to seal the leaky line. It's similar to the first plan that failed earlier this morning.

14:51

Artemis encounters fueling issues as scientists evaluate options just four hours before launch

The Artemis I rocket has encountered a leak while fueling this morning, leading scientist to brainstorm troubleshooting methods to allow the ship to launch on time.

At about 7:15 am, scientists found a liquid hydrogen leak from the tank feeding fuel to the rocket's engine.

It's different from the leak that occurred ahead of the scrapped launch on Monday.

Scientists attempted a troubleshooting plan to close the fuel valve used, drain it, and then 'increase pressure on a ground transfer line using helium to try to reseal it.'

The plan was unsuccessful, and the team is evaluating a new plan to seal the leak.

NASA's new moon rocket sits on Launch Pad 39-B hours ahead of a planned launch at the Kennedy Space Center Saturday, Sept. 3, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA's new moon rocket sprang another hazardous leak Saturday, as the launch team began fueling it for liftoff on a test flight that must go well before astronauts climb aboard. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)

14:40

Artemis I prepares for historic launch at 2:17 EST

NASA's live coverage of the Artemis I launch began at 5:45 a.m. as commentators describe the process of filling the lunar rocket's giant propellant tank.

The launch, which was postponed following an issue with one of rocket's engines, is set to begin at 2:17 EST from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The launch will mark NASA's return to the moon, more than 50 years after the Apollo program.

ARTEMIS LAUNCH LIVE: Second attempt for historic lunar lift off from Florida scrubbed