The agency said Tuesday that NASA’s last major test of the giant rocket and Orion spacecraft was canceled due to technical problems on Monday.
During a two-day rough test, known as a wet drill, the launch team performed an operation to load the propellant into a large rocket tank, perform a full launch countdown, and demonstrate the ability to recycle the countdown clock, as well as release the propellant to give them a chance to practice. schedule and procedures they will use for the launch, according to NASA.
NASA had a problem Monday, with a panel on a portable actuator controlling the main stage vent valve. The valve’s purpose is to relieve pressure from the rocket’s main stage over the tank, according to NASA.
NASA’s launch manager made the call to halt testing today, given the time to sort things out as the team nears the end of their shift. NASA said the countdown had completed after liquid oxygen was partially loaded into the rocket’s main stage tank.
The wet suit drill was the final big test before NASA’s Artemis 1 unmanned moon mission.
After the exercise, NASA will review the data from the test before setting a specific target launch date for the Artemis 1 launch.
Through the Artemis mission, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, paving the way for a long-term presence on the Moon and serving as a stepping stone on the road to Mars.
Read more: NASA Begins Critical Final Tests On Large Moon Rocket
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