NASA is looking to launch Artemis I at a later date.
NASA Artemis I was supposed to launch on Saturday, September 3. However, it has been halted again.
NASA appears to be taking its time in proceeding with the Artemis moon mission as they first prioritize the safety of launching its rocket, the Space Launch System, and the Orion spacecraft.
NASA made a second attempt to resume the launch of the Artemis program after it had scrubbed its first attempt on August 29 after detecting serious problems in the rocket.
During its first attempt to launch, NASA was unable to remedy a temperature issue that was observed with one of the rocket's four liquid-fueled engines.
This problem was detected with less than two hours remaining in the countdown, and it caused NASA to call off the initial attempt to launch the rocket.
After its second attempt on Saturday, the space agency decided that they were not moving forward with the attempt to launch the Artemis I after detecting an SLS hydrogen leak.
NASA Artemis I: SLS Hydrogen Leak
NASA Artemis I was not able to launch on Saturday as the team encountered a leak that was not easily manageable.
The Space Launch System rocket's core stage was being loaded with propellant when a liquid hydrogen leak was discovered.
Engineers discovered a leak in a hole between the ground side and rocket side plates during the most recent launch attempt. This cavity encloses an 8-inch line that was used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the SLS rocket.
The problem was not resolved despite multiple attempts at troubleshooting, which included reseating a seal in the quick disconnect located at the point where liquid hydrogen was supplied into the rocket. There were three attempts made to reposition the seal, but none of them was successful.
According to NASA, "Over the next several days, teams will establish access to the area of the leak at Launch Pad 39B, and in parallel conduct a schedule assessment to provide additional data that will inform a decision on whether to perform work to replace a seal either at the pad, where it can be tested under cryogenic conditions, or inside the Vehicle Assembly Building."
NASA's associate administrator, Jim Free, went on Twitter and said that they would be working over the next few days to better understand the leak that the rocket is experiencing.
He added, "Once we understand the leak better, we'll develop a path forward and set a new target launch date."
— Jim Free (@JimFree) September 3, 2022
NASA Artemis I: Next Launch Date
NASA is now on its third attempt to launch the SLS rocket and begin the Artemis I mission.
According to Engadget, the earliest opportunity for the third attempt to launch Artemis I will be in the next open window of September 16 to October 4.
However, this opportunity has the potential to cause a conflict with one of the other space missions. At the Kennedy Space Center, the Crew-5 flight operated by Space X is planned to take off on October 3.
As a result, NASA is most likely going to aim for the subsequent window, which begins on October 17, which will continue until the end of the month.
NASA has not yet confirmed if they are attempting to launch Artemis at the latest launch window available. Nonetheless, further information will be provided to the public the following week when NASA holds another press conference.
Although Bill Nelson, NASA's Administrator, was certain that the space agency would not attempt to launch Artemis 1 until it was confident that the SLS is in good shape to fly.
