Artemis Moon Program

[Nik]

Ah, well, they get chance to swap those fading batteries etc in the 'abort' systems, too...

Still, looks like the asteroid mini-moon impactor mission is still on for tonight.

Been a while, but I remember watching Giotto pics coming back from Halley pass.

And, waaay back, was it the Ranger missions to Moon ? Detail growing and growing until cut off in mid-frame...

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574459046882676738

View: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1574459046882676738

Once SLS returns to 39B after Hurricane Ian, Artemis I has multiple launch windows available through the second half of October and through November.

Graphic by Brady Kenniston (@TheFavoritist)

 

[NMaude]

Ah, well, they get chance to swap those fading batteries etc in the 'abort' systems, too...

That's what I was thinking too, they wouldn't have this situation if the FTS used thermal-batteries instead.

 

[FighterJock]

Rollback preparations continue, as they continue to monitor the weather situation.

Rollback is happening. Ian's track came back east, which really left NASA with no options. If it had kept heading west toward the panhandle, they maybe could have got away with not rolling it back.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574406114266972163

View: https://twitter.com/NASAArtemis/status/1574406114266972163

I will be breathing a sigh of relief when Artemis 1 is safely back in the VAB before the Hurricane hits, the latest weather reports from the BBC News channel don’t look very promising. October cannot come fast enough.

 

[TomS]

I will be breathing a sigh of relief when Artemis 1 is safely back in the VAB before the Hurricane hits, the latest weather reports from the BBC News channel don’t look very promising. October cannot come fast enough.

It's back inside the VAB as of a half-hour ago. Still some work needed to secure it inside the building but the big move is done and Ian isn't likely to bring tropical storm force winds to KSC until tomorrow afternoon.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574750811984658432

View: https://twitter.com/NASA_Orion/status/1574750811984658432

 

[FighterJock]

I will be breathing a sigh of relief when Artemis 1 is safely back in the VAB before the Hurricane hits, the latest weather reports from the BBC News channel don’t look very promising. October cannot come fast enough.

It's back inside the VAB as of a half-hour ago. Still some work needed to secure it inside the building but the big move is done and Ian isn't likely to bring tropical storm force winds to KSC until tomorrow afternoon.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574750811984658432

View: https://twitter.com/NASA_Orion/status/1574750811984658432

That is good news, at least Artemis 1 will be safe when the hurricane hits tomorrow.

 

[Flyaway]

Now back in the VAB and next launch attempt is NET mid-November.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574757459226394624

View: https://twitter.com/tomcostellonbc/status/1574757459226394624

.@nasa chief Bill Nelson now says #Artemis launch attempt now most likely for MID-NOVEMBER.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574798914489880583

View: https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1574798914489880583

Turns out there was a smallish fire in the VAB in High Bay 3. Not great, but not terrible. Fire Department was already on site.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574806590942756866

View: https://twitter.com/nasakennedy/status/1574806590942756866

At approximately 11:45pm today, a fire was reported in the Vehicle Assembly Building. Employees were evacuated, and there are no reported injuries. The VAB is fire safe, and the Artemis I vehicle was not at risk. We will provide updates as we have them.

Guessing that should be 11:45am.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574807342058708993

View: https://twitter.com/nasakennedy/status/1574807342058708993

Apologies, 11:45am, not pm. We will continue to provide updates as we have them.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574823262294577153

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574823262294577153

Petro says an investigation is underway on the VAB fire, but the source is believed to have been a panel "on the south side" of the building. SLS & Orion were "never at risk."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574825628486045713

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574825628486045713

Petro: Don't have exact distance on how far the fire was from the rocket, but it was on the wall of VAB High Bay 3.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574827438445662211

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574827438445662211

Petro, on the fire: Team was in the process of securing SLS in the VAB and "it was a 40 volt electrical panel on the wall of High Bay 3 that caught fire." Not sure specifically what in the electrical panel the source was, and only a handful of people in the VAB at the time.

 

[Flyaway]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574825474680922118

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574825474680922118

Free: "I don't think we're going to take anything off the table" in regards to launch attempts in October, but "the FTS [Flight Termination System] change out is not simple" and will make it challenging.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574825529450139654

View: https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1574825529450139654

Free doesn't say it, but it sounds like October is definitely out for an Artemis I launch attempt: "I don’t want to say it’s off the table, but I also recognize it’s September 27th. Getting back out there might be a challenge."

 

[Flyaway]

Why it’s not likely to be before November.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574827996455780353

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574827996455780353

Free: Limited life items that NASA may change out while SLS & Orion are in the VAB include batteries, hypergolic storage, soft goods in the service module.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574828703087038466

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574828703087038466

Free: A November launch is more likely because "it's just a challenge" to complete needed work at the VAB in time for windows next month, need to "give ourselves the best shot to launch."

 

[FighterJock]

Why it’s not likely to be before November.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574827996455780353

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574827996455780353

Free: Limited life items that NASA may change out while SLS & Orion are in the VAB include batteries, hypergolic storage, soft goods in the service module.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574828703087038466

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574828703087038466

Free: A November launch is more likely because "it's just a challenge" to complete needed work at the VAB in time for windows next month, need to "give ourselves the best shot to launch."

Roll on November.

 

[Flyaway]

Bit more info.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574828768329359361

View: https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1574828768329359361

Q-how much time do you expect to have on the FTS battery now that Range gave you waiver?
Free-they gave us 25 days and then let us extend. Will check, but I think we're still assuming it's 25 days.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574831227705724958

View: https://twitter.com/SpcPlcyOnline/status/1574831227705724958

Q-how long between rolling back to pad and launch?
Free-Started at 10 days, but we're improving processes every time we go out. About 7-8 days now.

 

[siegecrossbow]

I am not the superstitious type but the whole thing feels cursed.

 

[piginapoke]

Why it’s not likely to be before November.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574827996455780353

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574827996455780353

Free: Limited life items that NASA may change out while SLS & Orion are in the VAB include batteries, hypergolic storage, soft goods in the service module.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1574828703087038466

View: https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1574828703087038466

Free: A November launch is more likely because "it's just a challenge" to complete needed work at the VAB in time for windows next month, need to "give ourselves the best shot to launch."

Roll on November.

By soft goods, I hope they don't mean Shaun the Sheep.

 

[FighterJock]

Has there been any word yet about the situation at the Kennedy Space Centre following the hurricane? It did not look too good on the BBC news reports this morning. Just thinking about the Artemis 1 rocket.

 

[TomS]

Has there been any word yet about the situation at the Kennedy Space Centre following the hurricane? It did not look too good on the BBC news reports this morning. Just thinking about the Artemis 1 rocket.

Looks like little to no significant damage at KSC.

Hurricane Ian: Kennedy Space Center, Space Force bases OK; launches delayed

Hurricane Ian's impacts appear to have been minimal across the Space Coast's military bases and spaceport, though recovery teams are still checking.

www.floridatoday.com

 

[FighterJock]

Has there been any word yet about the situation at the Kennedy Space Centre following the hurricane? It did not look too good on the BBC news reports this morning. Just thinking about the Artemis 1 rocket.

Looks like little no no significant damage at KSC.

Hurricane Ian: Kennedy Space Center, Space Force bases OK; launches delayed

Hurricane Ian's impacts appear to have been minimal across the Space Coast's military bases and spaceport, though recovery teams are still checking.

www.floridatoday.com

Thats a relief.

 

[Grey Havoc]

NASA pursues astronaut Lunar Landers for future Artemis missions

Washington DC (SPX) Sep 18, 2022 - NASA is seeking proposals for sustainable lunar lander development and demonstration as the agency works toward a regular cadence of Moon landings. Through Artemis missions, NASA is preparing to ret

www.moondaily.com

 

[Grey Havoc]

Four-legged jumping robots LEAP to explore the Moon

Brussels, Belgium (SPX) Sep 22, 2022 - A four-legged robot trained through artificial intelligence has learned the same lesson as the Apollo astronauts - that jumping can be the best way to move around on the surface the Moon. An update

www.spacedaily.com

 

[GK Dundas]

Four-legged jumping robots LEAP to explore the Moon

Brussels, Belgium (SPX) Sep 22, 2022 - A four-legged robot trained through artificial intelligence has learned the same lesson as the Apollo astronauts - that jumping can be the best way to move around on the surface the Moon. An update

www.spacedaily.com

Haven't I seen this movie?
Yes I have, thankfully I didn't have to pay for it.

 

[NMaude]

From YouTube:

I'd love to see video footage of Spot bouncing around on the Moon's surface.

 

[TsrJoe]

A bit OT., but following the above post, a little project from Ruyang Liu, one of my design engineering students

 

[TomcatViP]

Track & walk! Very nicely done.

For the jumping robot using its legs to reposition itself in flight, the problem comes with how legs becomes a limiting factor for the design when weight is increased and volume inflated. Although a nice option to have, it can't be the main flight directional mean.

 

[Charlesferdinand]

"The European Large Logistic Lander, which will make repeated lunar landings between 2020 and 2030"

A bit optimistic, I'd say.

 

[Conspirator]

Petro says an investigation is underway on the VAB fire, but the source is believed to have been a panel "on the south side" of the building. SLS & Orion were "never at risk."

Petro: Don't have exact distance on how far the fire was from the rocket, but it was on the wall of VAB High Bay 3.

Petro, on the fire: Team was in the process of securing SLS in the VAB and "it was a 40 volt electrical panel on the wall of High Bay 3 that caught fire." Not sure specifically what in the electrical panel the source was, and only a handful of people in the VAB at the time.

at this point in time im just baffled. this is a cursed mission. every random thing that could go wrong, has went wrong. fires, leaks, weather, ignition, integrity (insulation cracking), a hurricane. at this point i don't think its safe to launch this year. i'm not superstitious or religious by any means. but i just have this horrible feeling about the launch. never had that on any launch. even on any spacex (Catastrophic failures) launches. at this point in time. i would deconstruct the entire rocket. replace seals, reconfigure tanks, pressure testing, fabrication checks, etc. i understand the money and time given that is involved but i just feel that it would be necessary.

 

[FighterJock]

Petro says an investigation is underway on the VAB fire, but the source is believed to have been a panel "on the south side" of the building. SLS & Orion were "never at risk."

Petro: Don't have exact distance on how far the fire was from the rocket, but it was on the wall of VAB High Bay 3.

Petro, on the fire: Team was in the process of securing SLS in the VAB and "it was a 40 volt electrical panel on the wall of High Bay 3 that caught fire." Not sure specifically what in the electrical panel the source was, and only a handful of people in the VAB at the time.

at this point in time im just baffled. this is a cursed mission. every random thing that could go wrong, has went wrong. fires, leaks, weather, ignition, integrity (insulation cracking), a hurricane. at this point i don't think its safe to launch this year. i'm not superstitious or religious by any means. but i just have this horrible feeling about the launch. never had that on any launch. even on any spacex (Catastrophic failures) launches. at this point in time. i would deconstruct the entire rocket. replace seals, reconfigure tanks, pressure testing, fabrication checks, etc. i understand the money and time given that is involved but i just feel that it would be necessary.

Same here Conspirator, even if that means postponing the entire launch into next year (possibly springtime when the weather is better) then we would have a totally safe rocket to launch. I fear NASA is going to launch Artemis 1 in November anyway come what may, then they will be concentrating on Artemis 2.

 

[Conspirator]

Petro says an investigation is underway on the VAB fire, but the source is believed to have been a panel "on the south side" of the building. SLS & Orion were "never at risk."

Petro: Don't have exact distance on how far the fire was from the rocket, but it was on the wall of VAB High Bay 3.

Petro, on the fire: Team was in the process of securing SLS in the VAB and "it was a 40 volt electrical panel on the wall of High Bay 3 that caught fire." Not sure specifically what in the electrical panel the source was, and only a handful of people in the VAB at the time.

at this point in time im just baffled. this is a cursed mission. every random thing that could go wrong, has went wrong. fires, leaks, weather, ignition, integrity (insulation cracking), a hurricane. at this point i don't think its safe to launch this year. i'm not superstitious or religious by any means. but i just have this horrible feeling about the launch. never had that on any launch. even on any spacex (Catastrophic failures) launches. at this point in time. i would deconstruct the entire rocket. replace seals, reconfigure tanks, pressure testing, fabrication checks, etc. i understand the money and time given that is involved but i just feel that it would be necessary.

Same here Conspirator, even if that means postponing the entire launch into next year (possibly springtime when the weather is better) then we would have a totally safe rocket to launch. I fear NASA is going to launch Artemis 1 in November anyway come what may, then they will be concentrating on Artemis 2.

well..... there wont be an ARTEMIS II if it launches in Nov' and there is a catastrophic failure mid-flight. either way. we will keep monitoring NASA and its plans for the program. i would put a hopeful/safe launch window to be March - May of 2023. but that's just me.
i just have this vivid vision of the ground camera catching the crafts top end start peeling off and breaking apart at around Max-Q........

 

[TomcatViP]

Let's have a compassionate though at the team now growing white hairs every time a launch is programmed... Picture yourself surviving those multitude launch-aborts while seating on top of the biggest firecracker the world has ever seen since long.

 

[NMaude]

Given that there's IMO a likely possibly of the Artemis 1's SRBs going boom because they've been stacked too long and now that NASA has ruled back the rocket to the VAB then they should destack its' LAS and replace the inert abort rocket-motor with a live RM and we restock it onto Artemis 1.

 

[phantomphan]

Petro says an investigation is underway on the VAB fire, but the source is believed to have been a panel "on the south side" of the building. SLS & Orion were "never at risk."

Petro: Don't have exact distance on how far the fire was from the rocket, but it was on the wall of VAB High Bay 3.

Petro, on the fire: Team was in the process of securing SLS in the VAB and "it was a 40 volt electrical panel on the wall of High Bay 3 that caught fire." Not sure specifically what in the electrical panel the source was, and only a handful of people in the VAB at the time.

at this point in time im just baffled. this is a cursed mission. every random thing that could go wrong, has went wrong. fires, leaks, weather, ignition, integrity (insulation cracking), a hurricane. at this point i don't think its safe to launch this year. i'm not superstitious or religious by any means. but i just have this horrible feeling about the launch. never had that on any launch. even on any spacex (Catastrophic failures) launches. at this point in time. i would deconstruct the entire rocket. replace seals, reconfigure tanks, pressure testing, fabrication checks, etc. i understand the money and time given that is involved but i just feel that it would be necessary.

If I recall correctly, Columbia was also a bit snake-bit at one point, including multiple delays and even some support personnel getting asphyxiated in the engine bay.

 

[Archibald]

What's with the sudden doom, in this thread ? NASA knows their rocket stuff. It is at HSF politics that they suck.

 

[Conspirator]

What's with the sudden doom, in this thread ? NASA knows their rocket stuff. It is at HSF politics that they suck.

they may "know their rockets stuff" but accidents, mistakes and disasters can. and will happen. when it comes to this particular line of work/science. you cannot make mistakes. or you can kill people. or change the course of history. you have to realize. NASA is in an extremely tight spot right now. they are over budget. out of time. and pushing through many setbacks. this is when mistakes occur. though i hope everything goes well.

 

[PMN1]

How are time expired SRB's handled.....apart from carefully.

 

[Conspirator]

How are time expired SRB's handled.....apart from carefully.

the clock is ticking for the amount of time they are stacked.
Shelf life of a segment containing propellant is certified for 5 years. But ATK has had former cast Shuttle SRM segments in storage for over 7 years and successfully test fired them.
Shelf life of empty segments - basically just the empty casing - is almost indefinitely.

(edit) so in conclusion. I'm not entirely sure.

 

[Flyaway]

Inspections Underway for Rocket, Spacecraft Before Setting Launch Date

Engineers at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida are in the process of preparing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the next launch attempt in November for the Artemis I mission. Check-outs conducted this week will allow NASA to finalize the work schedule before rolling SLS and Orion back to Launch Pad 39B.

Since resuming work after Hurricane Ian, teams have extended work platforms around SLS and Orion to assess the exterior and access internal components. Exterior inspections will note any foam or cork from the thermal protection system on the rocket or spacecraft that might need to be repaired. Teams will replace the flight batteries for the interim cryogenic propulsion stage and the boosters, as well as the batteries for the flight termination system in the boosters and core stage.

Work will also include charging the CubeSats that are equipped to be re-charged and have elected to do so. Inside Orion, work will include replenishing the specimens and batteries for the biology investigations riding within the capsule, as well as recharging the batteries associated with the crew seat accelerometers and space radiation experiments.

While teams inside the Vehicle Assemble Building complete check-outs, managers are coordinating with the U.S. Space Force to reserve launch dates on the Eastern Range and working with other parts of the agency to evaluate any potential constraints before NASA sets a target date for the next launch attempt.

Although the Kennedy area received minimal impacts from Hurricane Ian, many team members who live farther west experienced larger effects from the storm and are still recovering. Managers are working with teams to ensure they have the time and support needed to address the needs of their families and homes.

Author NASA Posted on October 6

Inspections Underway for Rocket, Spacecraft Before Setting Launch Date – Artemis

blogs.nasa.gov

 

[Flyaway]

Pending successful FTS (Flight Termination System) work in the VAB, SLS rollout for Artemis I is tracking November 7-8.

This would allow for a November 14 launch attempt.

These are current targets and are very much subject to change.

Pic: Nathan Barker (@NASA_Nerd) for NSF.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1579316127846395910

View: https://twitter.com/nasaspaceflight/status/1579316127846395910?

 

[NMaude]

November 14th? That's three days after I turn 50.

 

[Flyaway]

November 14th? That's three days after I turn 50.

Call me realistic, call me pessimistic but I bet it misses that launch date.

 

[Conspirator]

I will say this. November 14th is a bit bold. But if they're able to launch it safe that would be great since we know that they have it rolled into the VAB. I just hope that they've done the necessary preparations and repairs for launch. Godspeed.