The launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which NASA will launch as part of the Artemis 1 mission, was canceled twice due to fuel leaks. The teams replaced the connections at an interface between liquid hydrogen fuel tanks, now called “quick disconnect.” In the next step, the rocket will be loaded with fuel and checked to see if this repair has worked.
The repair work is aimed at sealing a hydrogen fuel leak in an 8-inch line leading to the core stage of the 32-deck SLS rocket. This leak caused NASA to abort its first uncrewed Artemis 1 launch attempt on September 3. While the engineers changed this link, they also replaced the link on a 4-inch hydrogen “drain line” where a leak was seen during the launch attempt on Aug.
With the repair work complete, NASA is now preparing for a refueling test to check if the hydrogen leaks of the SLS rocket have actually been fixed. This test could take place as early as Saturday, September 17, and will fill the 98-foot-high rocket with the 736,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen NASA needs for launch.
“This test will allow engineers to check the new seals as expected on launch day and before the next launch attempt, under cryogenic or extreme cold conditions,” NASA said in a statement. and will perform the test, which will validate the flight hardware and software systems, and a pre-pressurization test, performing the functions necessary to thermally condition the engines for flight. After testing, teams will evaluate the data along with plans for the next launch opportunity.”
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