NASA Replaces Troublesome Gasket on Artemis 1 Mission

NASA, which is preparing to go to the Moon again after a long break, would try to launch the Orion spacecraft with the SLS rocket unmanned in the Artemis-1 mission, which it started for this purpose. This mission was delayed due to a leak before two more launches took place.

Both trials revealed a fuel leak from a gasket. NASA engineers have now announced that the gasket that caused this leak was replaced. If all goes well, the launch will take place this month.

Will NASA be able to go to the Moon again?

The leak in the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is being resolved by replacing the problematic gasket last Friday. Although it seems that there is no problem with the rocket at the moment, NASA needs to do some tests first. With the leak on September 3, NASA, which closed the small gap where the hydrogen leak that prevented the launch on August 29, took place, will now test the vehicle again.

This time, NASA will conduct a fuel test to make sure that the fuel tanks are working correctly. 2.786 million liters of fuel will be filled into tanks once again. NASA completes this test on September 17 and is attempting a new launch.

NASA had previously stated that it wanted to try a relaunch on September 23. On the other hand, according to the rules, NASA has to test the flight control systems of Artemis-1 every 20 days. These tests can only be done at the Kennedy Space Center Vehicle Assembly Building of the US Space Force. The US Space Force, which previously gave 20 days due to the delay of the flight, seems to have to give NASA additional time once again after the final tests.