After a major test of the Space Launch System (SLS) earlier this week, NASA officials are keen to launch the Artemis 1 mission next week, weather permitting, Wccftech reported. Space agency officials shared an update Wednesday on testing as they loaded the rocket with fuel and oxidizer to test for leaks that hindered takeoff from a launch attempt earlier this month. The test was successful,NASA engineers remain confident for next Tuesday’s launch. The biggest concern right now is weather restrictions,If the wind speed in the surrounding area exceeds a certain threshold, the agency could return the rocket to its spacecraft assembly building.
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The conversation was interrupted by technical issues related to Tuesday’s weather forecast and the nature of the leak that engineers still faced Wednesday. Now, the NASA team hopes conditions may be favorable for take-off next week; however, they will meet again later on Friday to further gauge the weather.
A forecast released by the US Space Force early Friday predicted an 80% chance of violating weather restrictions. A key concern for NASA is whether it will have to return the rocket to its spacecraft assembly building. These maneuvers are a burden on the vehicle and take time, which limits the rocket launch date. The space agency currently reserves October 2 as a backup launch attempt if the weather proves unfavorable for next Tuesday’s launch.
The US Space Force launch weather forecast states:
The final convergence zone between Fiona and the upper level low pressure depression today sinks south to Florida as Fiona moves north. The “back door” will cross the Space Coast in the late afternoon, producing some isolated showers and gusts of northeast wind. That border will continue south of the spaceport on Saturday as the high pressure builds, reducing winds. On Sunday, the border will move north before a potentially strengthening tropical system in the western Caribbean, gradually shifting rainfall activity closer to the spaceport. The weather began to deteriorate further Monday through Tuesday as a possible hurricane moved into the northwestern Caribbean Sea. Official forecasts from the National Hurricane Center plotted a possible hurricane over western Cuba early Tuesday before the storm moved into the eastern Gulf near the Florida Keys by noon Tuesday. Deep tropical water vapor will overflow the spaceport on Tuesday, with diffuse cloud cover and sporadic rain likely during the launch window. Therefore, we are mainly concerned with cumulation rules, surface electric field rules and flight limitations through precipitation.
For the SLS to remain on the launch pad, the forecast of lightning within 20 nautical miles of the launch pad must be less than 10%, the chance of hail must be less than 5%, the temperature must be below 40 degrees Celsius, and The peak wind speed must be less than 40 knots. For takeoff, peak winds must be less than 39 knots at takeoff at 133 feet and less than 39 knots at 458 feet.
Transportation of the rocket to the spacecraft assembly building should not affect repairs made to the rocket to stop its fuel leak. The seals will stay in place, which is not a problem. If the rocket returns to the building, its flight termination system batteries will be recharged, among other changes.
The system is another key constraint because it must be certified for safety and functionality in front of the Space Force before the rocket can be launched. In this regard, the rocket is fine because range officials cleared the launch on Tuesday.
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