NASA’s “Artemis I” mission to send a spacecraft to the Moon, the first test to send people back to the Earth’s satellite, was postponed this Monday, August 29, minutes from the scheduled time.
The space agency said they emerged “technical problems” and that he is investigating a “possible crack in the material of the main body of the ship”, as well as a probable temperature problem in one of the engines.
The launch, which was scheduled for 7:30 Mexico time2:30 p.m. from Spain and 9:30 a.m. from Argentina, was cancelled.
The crack, according to specialized media, affects the hydrogen storage process, rocket fuel that will now have to wait for a new window, on September 2.
the launch of #Artemis I will no longer perform today as the teams are working on an engine bleeding issue. The teams will continue to collect data and we will keep you updated on the next launch attempt. https://t.co/hgv9Fe1QRC
— NASA in Spanish (@NASA_es) August 29, 2022
Artemis I: NASA detects a problem and suspends the launch
The mission will be used to test the performance of the SLS rocket, the most powerful ever made, standing almost 100 meters tall.
In addition, the efficiency of the Orion capsule will be tested, with which it is hoped, later, to send a new manned mission to the Moon after half a century.
The trip will be to the Moon, round trip, and will last 42 days.
The module will travel about 2.15 million kilometers.
Artemis I will be the first of a larger Nasa program with which it wants to bring people back to the Earth’s satellite.
According to CNN, “several problems appeared since the rocket began to refuel at midnight” and the teams of scientists were working in the following hours to assess the damage.
In addition to the crack, then there was the problem with the engine, which would have overheated.
The space agency’s plan called “Artemis” in homage to the Greek goddess associated with the Moon takes the post that Apollo abandoned half a century ago.
According to NASA, the idea is to pave the way “for the arrival of the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon”.
The rocket Space Launch System (SLS) is considered the most powerful ever made.
The last time a similar rocket was used was in 1973, when the same agency launched the Saturn V to put into orbit SkyLabthe first space station in the United States.
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