NASA postpones Artemis I launch: 4 issues spacecraft faced

NASA was scheduled to launch its Artemis I moon mission on August 29, 2022. However, the agency decided to postpone the launch after a technical issue with engine #3. NASA has provided an update saying that the next launch window will be opened on Friday, Sept. 2, at 12:48 PM ET.

NASA posted on Instagram saying that its team will continue to evaluate the situation and will provide an update as and when details surface:

Here are four issues that the moon mission faced:

Engine #3 bleed

The primary issue that prevented the launch was the engine #3 bleed. An engine bleed is carried out before every launch. During this process, hydrogen is made to cycle through the engines to prepare them for take-off. However, among the four engines of Artemis I, engine #3 was facing a bleeding-related issue.

Also Read| NASA postpones Artemis I launch due to engine issue

Engine didn’t achieve high-accuracy temperature

Derrol Nail, who was the launch control commander of this mission, said that engine #3 “didn’t get the high accuracy temperature that they were looking for”. Before launch, all engines of a spacecraft need to be at a particular temperature. Nail also added that the fuelled rocket will be kept at the Kennedy Space Centre as engineers figure out the issue with engine #3.

Launch window was for two hours

A number of factors need to be taken into consideration for a successful spacecraft launch, including weather conditions, distance from destination, et al. The launch for Artemis had a two-hour window, and when the issue couldn’t be resolved within said time-frame, the only option left was to scrap the same for the time being.

Also Read| Items Artemis I is carrying: From Snoopy toy to Apollo 11 mission patch

“We don’t launch until it’s right”: NASA administrator

Bill Nelson, the NASA administrator, reportedly told Nail that the launch cannot be carried out until all requisitions are met. He added, “It’s just illustrative that this is a very complicated machine, a very complicated system. All those things have to work”.