NASA says delayed Moon rocket passed fueling test

The Report Desk

Published: September 22, 2022, 10:10 AM

NASA says delayed Moon rocket passed fueling test

NASA said that it had successfully trialed the fueling process for its new rocket, after technical issues a few weeks ago halted two attempts to get the behemoth off the ground and headed towards the Moon.

 

"All of the objectives that we set out to do we were able to accomplish today," said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, launch director of the program called Artemis 1.

 

The unmanned mission hopes to test the new 30-story SLS rocket as well as the unmanned Orion capsule that sits atop it, in preparation for future Moon-bound journeys with humans aboard.

 

The last attempt in early September to launch NASA's most powerful rocket yet had to be aborted because of a leak while its cryogenic fuels -- liquid hydrogen and oxygen -- were being pumped into the rocket's tanks.


Repairs were carried out and Wednesday's test involved filling those tanks again.

 

Though a small hydrogen leak was detected during the test, NASA engineers were able to get it under control.

 

Last week NASA said it is now aiming for September 27 as the next date for liftoff, reports AFP. 

 

October 2 was set as a backup date.

 

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