News

NASA Says Delayed Moon Rocket Passed Fueling Test

NASA said Wednesday 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. October 2 was set as a backup date.

“Teams will evaluate the data from the test, along with weather and other factors, before confirming readiness to proceed into the next launch opportunity,” NASA said.

Asked about the timing of the next launch attempt, Blackwell-Thompson declined to comment, though she said she was “extremely encouraged by the test today.”

US officials are also keeping a close eye on Hurricane Fiona’s trajectory off the coast in the Atlantic.

For the September 27 date to be possible, NASA must receive a waiver to avoid retesting the batteries on a detonation system used to destroy the rocket if it strays uncontrollably off course.

The next mission, Artemis 2, would take astronauts to the Moon without landing on its surface, while the third — set for the mid-2020s — would see the first woman and person of color on lunar soil.

NASA wants to build a lunar space station called Gateway and keep a sustained presence on the Moon to gain insight into how to survive very long space missions, ahead of a mission to Mars in the 2030s.

Sources: AFP

Adib Mohd

Recent Posts

TV Sarawak Is Leveling Up, From Kuching to the World with Spotlight 25/26

Since its debut in 2020, TV Sarawak (TVS) has been rewriting what it means to… Read More

2 days ago

Skechers Steps Up the Game with New Basketball Collection

Skechers, The Comfort Technology Company™ and a global leader in lifestyle and performance footwear, has… Read More

2 days ago

LexisNexis Brings AI Legal Sidekick to Malaysia with Protégé

Move over Suits, the future of law just got an AI upgrade. LexisNexis has officially… Read More

2 days ago

BJAK Turns Insurance Renewals into Rewards with RM100,000 Mega Giveaway This 10.10

Renewing insurance and road tax is often a last-minute hassle, but BJAK, Malaysia’s largest online… Read More

2 days ago

SHANTEA Dessert Opens First Outlet at Mid Valley, Serving Malaysian Culture Through Sweet Creations Ahead of Visit Malaysia 2026

Malaysian flavors stepped into the spotlight today as SHANTEA Dessert officially opened its first outlet… Read More

2 days ago

Energea Powers Up Malaysia with Bold Tangerine Collection and Next-Gen Hybrid-Solid State Powerbank

Energea, the lifestyle-driven power solutions and tech accessories brand, has officially introduced two groundbreaking innovations:… Read More

2 days ago

This website uses cookies.