NASA’s Artemis 1 will be making a return to the launch pad on Friday ahead of its historic lunar mission.
Artemis 1 is the first mission apart from the Space Launch System (SLS) mega rocket and the second for the Orion spacecraft capsule that will launch into lunar orbit. The rocket has had multiple dates to launch but has had many setbacks. The rocket was returned to NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building in April and July for fueling tests and again in September to keep the rocket safe from Hurricane Ian.
If everything follows the plan NASA has, SLS and Orion will go to Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Since the latest setback in September, NASA has been repairing the rocket and making sure there will be no malfunctions. This included running tests and making repairs to the rocket.
“Testing of the reaction control system on the twin solid rocket boosters, as well as the installation of the flight batteries, is complete and those components are ready for flight,” NASA reported.
Engineers have also replaced batteries on the rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage. Confidence checks were made that will help the rocket’s second stage that will propel it and move the Orion capsule toward the moon once SLS’s solid rocket boosters have been jettisoned.
The mission is set to launch on Nov.19 and should return on Dec. 9. The Orion spacecraft will fly a retrograde orbit around the Moon to test all of its systems for 25 days.
This mission will prepare for the 2024 crewed Artemis 2 mission.