NASA again delays the last Space Launch System rocket test for the Moon trip
NASA again delays the last Space Launch System rocket test for the Moon trip
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The latest test of NASA’s massive Moon rocket SLS has been postponed to allow for the launch of a SpaceX rocket later this week, the US space agency revealed on Tuesday.
The enormous Space Launch System is getting a dress rehearsal at Cape Canaveral, Florida’s launch pad 39B, where SpaceX is set to launch from pad 39A on Friday.

The rocket test to send humans to the Moon is now anticipated to continue immediately after the SpaceX voyage to the International Space Station, which will transport three businessmen and a former astronaut.

While waiting, the SLS rocket will remain on its launch pad at a height of 322-feet (98-meters).

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All of the stages leading up to launch must be practised in this final test before blasting off for the Moon later this year, from filling the tanks to stopping the countdown moments before the engines start.

The test began last Friday and was supposed to last two days, but it was prolonged after NASA engineers experienced “a whole slew of technical issues” as well as uncooperative weather on Saturday, according to Mike Sarafin, the mission manager for the Artemis Moon landing.

Among the issues faced were four lightning strikes on the launch pad during a thunderstorm, proving that the protective mechanism worked as expected.

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The difficulties, however, were not “serious issues,” according to Sarafin. “We haven’t encountered any fundamental design defects or design concerns.”

“We take delight in learning from these tests,” he said, calling the ones already completed in recent days “partially successful.”

Artemis 1 will be the first flight of the SLS, whose development has been years behind schedule.

The Orion capsule at the top will be launched to the Moon, where it will be positioned in orbit before returning to Earth.

The first mission will not include any astronauts. The take-off date will be announced following the so-called “wet” dress rehearsal.

A launch window in early June is possible, and Sarafin says he’s “not ready to lose up on it yet.”

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Another launch opportunity is available in early July.