‘All objectives met:’ NASA completes vital test ahead of next Artemis I moon rocket launch attempt

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A crucial test was completed Wednesday to determine whether another launch attempt of the Artemis I mission can happen.

All objectives were met and now the space agency must review the data before deciding whether to move forward with another launch attempt on Tuesday, Sept. 27.

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The cryogenic demonstration test was conducted to try to fill up the giant fuel tanks to see if they’ve fixed the show-stopping hydrogen leak that ended the first two launch attempts on Aug. 29 and again on Sept. 3.

Mission managers said the tanking test was essential in determining if the seals crews replaced inside the quick-disconnect hold and now they are “proceeding with critical safing activities and preparations for draining the rocket’s tanks.”

Artemis I launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson gave the “go” for tanking around 7:30 a.m. and the test concluded around 4:50 p.m.

“The team is really excited to get through this test. Everybody’s been working hard these last few weeks,” NASA engineer Wes Mosedale said from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Control.

During the tanking operations, a leak was detected and engineers stopped flowing liquid hydrogen during the test for over an hour before resuming around 11:40 a.m.

NASA space officials are now targeting a 70-minute launch window beginning at 11:37 a.m. on Sept. 27. A second opportunity opens at 2:52 p.m. for 109 minutes on Oct. 2.

NASA said the fueling test Wednesday will include chilling the engines and testing new seals on liquid hydrogen connections.

This time, Tom Whitmeyer of NASA said it will be a slower fueling process.

‘’We’re going to be doing what we call the kinder, gentler kind of loading operations,” Whitmeyer said. “We think that will really help with the pressure and temperature transitions that the systems see.”