distance Failed attempt due to technical problemsNASA has put a sign The launch of the Artemis I . mission For today, September 3.
If all goes as planned, The window of opportunity to launch the missile opens at 7:17 p.m. Lisbon2:17 p.m. in Florida, in Cape Canaveral, where the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is on Platform 39B, with the Orion capsule on board.
a You can follow the moment through the live broadcastwhich will start at 17:15 (Lisbon time), in YouTube channel From NASA, also available at from the site And the space agency application.
Citing data from meteorologists at the US Space Force’s Delta 45 base, NASA indicates that there 60% chance of favorable weather conditions, which may improve throughout the day.
The Artemis I mission management team met on September 1st to assess the state of operations, Giving the “green light” to launch. Agency engineers worked hard to solve the problems that delayed the launch, Updated procedures to make sure everything goes according to plan.
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Remember that on the first try, on August 29th, it was Engineers started to discover hydrogen leaksWho stopped the countdown. With the problem solved, Another problem was found, this time in a third of SLS engines.
One Preventing engine fuel leakage from reaching the correct temperature to start the ignition process. In addition, a crack was detected in the thermal protection material of one of the components of the main stage of the rocket.
After a while, Charlie Blackwell Thompson, launch director, said it wouldn’t be possible to continue. “We don’t shoot [a Artemis I] As long as it’s not okay.”And the Bill Nelson, Administrator of NASAAfter making sure that there are no conditions for release.
The NASA has confirmed that the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft are not in danger And that they were in a stable configuration, awaiting the next release windows, which at that time was set on the 2nd and 5th of September.
The first step towards returning to the moon
Artemis I is a drone mission and Intends to test the technological systems of the program. Instead of astronauts, The Orion capsule will hold three test dolls. The person in the position of commander was named Monekin “Campus” and he was Sensors to measure the effects of acceleration and vibration.
The other two models, “Two Women”, made of Materials that mimic human bones or organs. One of these models will wear an anti-radiation suit and there will be instruments to measure radiation levels received on board.
a Official flight kit It also has a series of items, two special passengers, chosen to accompany the mission, the beloved toys of Sheep Choné, an ESA mascot, and Snoopy by Charles M. Schulz, which will serve as a guideline for the microgravity test.
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There is also a 3D replica of the Greek goddess Artemis, seeds and a stone from the Dead Sea, among more than 180 items submitted by different space agencies and selected in competitions involving students and other organizations.
will remain Transport of ten small scientific satellites, which will be launched into space To study the effects of radiation, an asteroid, or the icy surface of the moon.
The The lunar orbit mission lasts six weeks, where the main data will be collected. During this period you will capsule mighty It revolves around the moon at an altitude of 100 km above the surface and then It will use the gravitational force of a natural satellite to create a new, deeper orbitabout 70 thousand kilometers away.
After the Artemis I mission, it was In 2024, NASA hopes to bring astronauts into orbit around the moonon the Artemis II mission in 2024, and on its surface, on Artemis III, in late 2025, with the first woman and first person of color to set foot on Earth’s natural satellite.
Departures for future lunar missions will take place in A space station to be installed in the orbit of the moonAnd the the gate. With Artemis software, the NASA hopes to “create sustainable missions” on the moon by 2028for the purpose of Sending future astronauts to Mars.
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