Tag: Artemis I wet dress rehearsal

Artemis I Update: Mission Management Team “Go” to Proceed with Tanking Pending Resolution of Gaseous Nitrogen Supply Issue 

The mission management team chair has given a “go” to proceed  with tanking the rocket for the Artemis I  wet dress rehearsal test, pending resolution of an issue with an outage at an off-site vendor of gaseous nitrogen used inside the rocket before propellant loading. While a similar issue with a supplier of gaseous nitrogen was experienced during a previous test attempt April 4, teams expect the supply to be reestablished shortly.  Following resolution of the issue, the launch director will give the “go” to officially begin the tanking process. Meteorologists with Space Launch Delta 45 said there were no weather constraints for the test. 

 Tanking begins with chilling down the liquid oxygen lines for the core stage. In sequential fashion, liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) will flow into the into the rocket’s core stage tank and be topped off and replenished as some of cryogenic propellant boils off. The team also will conduct leak checks to ensure propellant loading is proceeding as expected.  Only minimal cryogenic operations are being conducted on the interim cryogenic propulsion stage because of an issue with a helium check valve found several days ago which cannot be fixed at the launch pad. Teams will chill down the lines used to load propellant into the upper stage but not flow any actual propellant to the stage. 

 NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft at the launch pad on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel. Venting may be visible during tanking operations. NASA is also sharing live updates on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account.   

Artemis I Update: Rocket’s Upper Stage and Boosters Powered Up, Countdown On Track

The Space Launch System rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) and boosters were powered up overnight. Teams are in the process of clearing all non-essential personnel from the launch pad area in preparation for propellant loading operations.  

At 6 a.m. EDT, or L-8 hours, 40 minutes, the launch team is expected to reach a planned 1 hour, 30-minute built-in hold. During this time the mission management team will review the status of operations, receive a weather briefing, and make a “go” or “no-go” decision to proceed with tanking operations. 

Tanking milestones include filling the rocket’s core stage with several hundred thousand gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. This will occur over a series of different propellant loading milestones to fill, top off, and replenish the tank. Because of an issue found several days ago with a helium check valve on the rocket which cannot be fixed at the launch pad, cryogenic propellant will not be loaded into the rocket’s upper stage.  

NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft at the launch pad on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel. NASA is also sharing updates on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account.   

The next blog update will be provided after the “go” or “no-go” decision to proceed with tanking operations.  

Artemis I Update: Countdown is Underway for Wet Dress Rehearsal

At approximately 5 p.m. EDT, or L-45 hours, 40 minutes before the initial targeted test T-0, the launch team arrived at their stations inside the Launch Control Center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The countdown is now underway for the wet dress rehearsal test for NASA’s Artemis I mission.

Prior to “call to stations” the team completed several activities including closing the Orion crew module hatch and conducting leak checks. Technicians then closed the hatch on the launch abort system and conducted final activities in the White Room, the access point between Orion and the Mobile Launcher. The crew access arm, where the White Room is located, was retracted away from the spacecraft and rocket. On March 31, Orion was powered-up and will remain on throughout the duration of the test.

Teams are now filling the sound suppression system with water at the launch pad, which is used to dampen and absorb acoustic energy during liftoff. Even though the Space Launch System engines will not fire during this test, teams are practicing carrying out operations as they would on launch day.

Overnight, teams will charge the SLS core stage batteries and configure ground systems to power up the stage, and purge and remove ducts for the RS-25 engines. The next operational update will be posted the morning of April 2.

Watch a live video stream of the rocket and spacecraft at the launch pad now on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel. In addition to updates on this blog, NASA also will provide operational updates on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account from Jeremy Parsons, deputy manager for Exploration Ground Systems.

Artemis I Wet Dress Rehearsal Preparations Underway   

Engineers and technicians are continuing to prepare for the Artemis I wet dress rehearsal test which is slated to begin on April 1 and conclude on April 3.    

 The wet dress rehearsal will begin at 5 p.m. EDT on April 1 with “call to stations,” when members of the launch control team at Kennedy Space Center in Florida will arrive to the firing rooms in the Launch Control Center and start the approximately two-day test launch countdown.  The team will target a two-hour test window that opens at 2:40 p.m. April 3. 

 The countdown for the wet dress rehearsal will follow a similar timeline as the team will use on the day of launch. Below are the approximate times for countdown milestones during the wet dress rehearsal test. All times below are Eastern. 

During the test, the timing for some events on account of several planned operational demonstrations tied to specific capabilities and test objectives may differ from the day of launch countdown. These demonstrations include tests on the cryogenic systems and an approximately three-minute hold inside the terminal count, which would not normally occur on launch day. If needed, the test team also may hold as necessary to verify conditions before resuming the countdown, or use the test window or extend beyond it, if consumables and resources allow them to complete test objectives. 

The following activities will occur for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and supporting ground systems: 

Prior to Call to Stations 

  • The Orion crew module hatch is closed (will occur at ~L-37.5 hours for launch) 
  • The crew access arm is retracted (will occur at ~L-30 hours for launch) 
  • Leak checks are completed on the Orion spacecraft and the launch abort system is closed (will occur at ~L-29 hours, 30 minutes for launch) 

5 p.m., April 1 – L-45 hours and counting   

  • The launch team arrives on their stations and the countdown begins (L-45, 40 minutes hours)  
  • Fill the water tank for the sound suppression system (L-45 hours)  
  • The Orion spacecraft powered up start (L-41 hours)  
    • May be powered earlier during the test 
  • The SLS core stage is powered up (L-35 hours, 20 minutes)  
  • Final preparations of the four RS-25 engines complete (L-30 hours, 30 minutes)  
    • Engines will not fire during this test 
  • Side flame deflectors are moved into place (L-21 hours)   

1:40 a.m., April 3 – L-13 hours and counting   

  • The SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) is powered up (L-12 hours, 50 minutes)  
  • All non-essential personnel leave Launch Complex 39B (L-12 hours)    

6 a.m. – L-8 hours, 40 minutes and counting  

  • Built in countdown hold begins and lasts approximately 1.5 hours (L-8 hours, 40 minutes)  
  • The launch director and mission management team chair conduct a weather and tanking briefing (L-8 hours, 20 minutes)   
  • The launch director and mission management team chair decide if they are “go” or “no-go” to begin tanking the rocket (L-7 hours, 50 minutes)   

6:40 a.m. – L-8 hours and counting  

  • 7:20 a.m.: Core stage LOX chilldown start (L-7 hours, 20 minutes)  
  • 8:15 a.m.: Core stage LOX slow fill start (L-6 hours, 25 minutes)  
  • 8:30 a.m.: Core stage LOX fast fill start (L-6 hours, 10 minutes) 
  • 8:35 a.m.: Core stage LH2 chilldown start (L-6 hours, 5 minutes)  
  • 8:40 a.m.: Core stage LH2 slow fill start (L-6 hours)  
  • 9:00 a.m.: Core stage LH2 fast fill start (L-5 hours, 40 minutes)  

  10:10 a.m. – L-4 hours, 30 minutes and counting   

  • 10:10 a.m.: Core stage LH2 topping start (L-4 hours, 30 minutes)  
  • 10:15 a.m.: ICPS LH2 chilldown (L-4 hours, 25 minutes)  
  • 10:15 a.m.: Core stage LH2 replenish start (L-4 hours 25 minutes)  
  • 10:20 a.m.: Orion communications system activation start (RF to Mission control) (L-4 hours, 20 minutes)  
  • 10:40 a.m.: ICPS LH2 fast fill (L-4 hours) 

11:10 a.m. – L-3 hours, 30 minutes and counting   

  • 11:15 a.m.: Core stage LOX topping start (L-3 hours, 25 minutes)  
  • 11:20 a.m.: Core stage LOX replenish start (L-3 hours, 20 minutes)  
  • 11:20 a.m.: ICPS LOX chilldown start (L-3 hours, 20 minutes)  
  • 11:25 a.m.: ICPS LH2 validation and leak test start (L-3 hours, 15 minutes)  
  • 11:40 a.m.: ICPS LH2 tanks load topping start (L-3 hours)  
  • 11:40 a.m.: ICPS/SLS telemetry data verified with mission control and SLS Engineering Support Center (L-3 hours)  
  • 12 p.m.: ICPS LH2 replenish start (L-2 hours, 40 minutes)  
  • 12 p.m.: ICPS LOX validation and leak test (L-2 hours, 40 minutes)  
  • 12:20 p.m.: ICPS LOX topping start (L-2 hours, 20 minutes)  
  • 12:30 p.m.: ICPS LOX replenish start (L-2 hours, 10 minutes)  
  • 12:40 p.m.: WDR-specific core stage LOX/LH2 stop flow and recover test (L-2 hours through L-55 minutes) 

  2 p.m. – L-40 minutes and holding   

  • 2 p.m.: Final NASA Test Director briefing is held  
  • 2 p.m.: Built in 30-minute countdown hold begins  
  • 2:25 p.m.: The launch director polls the team to ensure they are “go” for terminal count for test purposes

  2:30 p.m. – T-10 minutes and counting (WDR Run 1) 

  • 2:34 p.m.  
    • Orion ascent pyros are armed (T-6 minutes)  
    • Orion set to internal power (T-6 minutes)  
    • Core Stage LH2 terminate replenish (T-5 minutes, 57 seconds)  
  • 2:36 p.m.  
    • Core Stage auxiliary power unit starts (T-4 minutes) 
    • Core stage LOX terminate replenish (T-4 minutes)   
    • ICPS LOX terminate replenish (T-3 minutes, 30 seconds)  
  • 2:38 p.m. 
    • ICPS switches to internal battery power (T-1 minute, 56 seconds)  
    • Core stage switches to internal power (T-1 minute, 30 seconds)  
    • ICPS enters terminal countdown mode (T-1 minute, 20 seconds)  
  • 2:39 p.m. 
    • ICPS LH2 terminate replenish (T-50 seconds)  
    • Ground launch sequencer sends “cut-off” command (T-33 seconds)  

Perform Critical Safing and Planned Recycle back to T-10 minutes and holding (takes approximately one hour) 

 T-10 minutes and counting  (WDR Run 2) 

  • Orion ascent pyrotechnics are armed (T-6 minutes)  
  • Orion set to internal power (T-6 minutes)  
  • Core Stage LH2 terminate replenish (T-5 minutes, 57 seconds)  
  • Core Stage auxiliary power unit starts (T-4 minutes) 
  • Core stage LOX terminate replenish (T-4 minutes)   
  • ICPS LOX terminate replenish (T-3 minutes, 30 seconds)  
  • ICPS switches to internal battery power (T-1 minute, 56 seconds)  
  • Core stage switches to internal power (T-1 minute, 30 seconds)  
  • ICPS enters terminal countdown mode (T-1 minute, 20 seconds)  
  • ICPS LH2 terminate replenish (T-50 seconds)  
  • Ground launch sequencer sends “Go for automated launch sequencer” command (T-33 seconds)  
  • Core stage flight computer to automated launching sequencer (T-30 seconds)  
  • Ground launch sequencer manual cut-off at T-9.34 seconds 

Proceed with Critical Safing Operations  

Proceed with Core Stage and ICPS Cryogenic Fuel Drain Operations 

NASA ‘Go’ for Artemis I Wet Dress Rehearsal

In a pre-test review on March 28, NASA gave the “go” to proceed with the Artemis I wet dress rehearsal scheduled for April 1-3. The approximately two-day test will run the Artemis I launch team through operations to load propellant into the rocket’s tanks, conduct a full launch countdown, demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and also drain the tanks to give them an opportunity to practice the timelines and procedures they will use for launch.

During the rehearsal, controllers will count down to T-1 minutes and 30 seconds and pause to demonstrate the ability to hold for up to 3 minutes, then resume until 33 seconds before when launch would occur, then pause the countdown. Then they will recycle back to ten minutes before launch and conduct a second terminal countdown to approximately 9.3 seconds before launch, then end the countdown. Sometimes called a “scrub,” launch controllers may decide not to proceed with launch if a technical or weather issue arises during or prior to the countdown. At the end of the test, the team will drain the propellant to demonstrate the procedures that would be used during a launch scrub. After draining the tanks, the team will review the test data before setting an official target launch date.

NASA will provide a live video stream of the rocket and spacecraft at the launch pad beginning at Noon EDT on April 1 on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel. In addition to updates on this blog, NASA also will provide operational updates on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter account.