The NASA Artemis 2 lunar mission faced a setback following the discovery of a significant issue during a test run. A “liquid hydrogen leak” was observed at a core stage interface during a wet dress rehearsal on Tuesday. The leak, detected during tanking, prompted teams to pause for hardware warming and propellant flow adjustments. The test was ultimately stopped during the final countdown, approximately five minutes before launch, due to an escalated leak rate, according to a statement from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.
Additional concerns arose, such as the necessity to retorque a valve associated with pressurizing the Orion crew module hatch, leading to delays in closeout operations. Cold weather conditions impacting various cameras and equipment will require heightened attention on launch day, as mentioned in the statement. Moreover, brief interruptions in audio communications between ground teams were also reported during the test.
Isaacman emphasized the expected challenges, citing the more than three-year gap between SLS launches as the reason for encountering difficulties. He highlighted the importance of wet dress rehearsals in identifying issues before flight to enhance the likelihood of a successful launch.
The US space agency now aims for the earliest possible launch of Artemis 2 in March. Agency officials are set to discuss the initial findings from the wet dress rehearsal in a news conference scheduled for 1 pm on Tuesday.
The Artemis program, named after the Greek moon goddess and sister to Apollo, aims to establish the Lunar Gateway, a new space station enabling astronaut habitation and work. The upcoming 10-day manned mission, the first to orbit the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972, will be followed by NASA’s Artemis III mission targeting a human return to the lunar surface.
The crew of the Artemis II mission includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. Isaacman reaffirmed in January the mission’s commitment to fulfilling the promise of lunar return to the American people.
He outlined the vision for a moon base, emphasizing the initial phase involving rovers for exploration and mineral extraction capabilities. Isaacman also highlighted the integration of autonomy in robotic missions, citing a planned mission to Venus with onboard AI features.
The mission will conclude with the Orion spacecraft splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, with recovery operations assisted by the US Navy.