A test launch of NASA‘s biggest-ever rocket was canceled on Monday, a blow to the ambitious plan to return people to the Moon and eventually Mars.
After the Kennedy Space Center’s liftoff attempt was scrubbed due to an engine temperature problem, NASA administrator Bill Nelson declared, “We don’t launch until it’s right.”
“This is a very complicated machine,” Nelson said.
The unmanned Artemis 1 mission of the US space agency could launch on Friday or the following Monday.
Due to a temperature issue with one of the four engines, Blastoff, which was scheduled to take off at 8:33 am (5:33 pm Pakistan time), was not able to take off.
A test to bring one of the engines to the right temperature range for liftoff, according to NASA, failed.
Nelson expressed assurance that NASA engineers will “get it fixed and then we’ll fly” and said that delays were “just part of the space business.”
Tens of thousands of people had congregated close to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to see the launch, including US Vice President Kamala Harris.
The SLS and Orion crew capsules will be tested on this voyage.
Sensor-equipped mannequins are serving as the mission’s substitute crew.
There was a significant risk of lightning during the overnight activities to feed the orange-and-white rocket with more than three million liters of extremely cold liquid oxygen and hydrogen.
Another glitch appeared at about three in the morning: a potential leak was discovered while the main stage was being filled with hydrogen, which led to a delay. Following tests, the flow continued.
Later, NASA engineers found the issue with the engine temperature, delayed the countdown, and ultimately scrubbed the launch.
To determine whether the spacecraft is soon safe for passengers, the rocket’s Orion capsule is being sent into lunar orbit. Artemis plans to place a woman and a person of color on the Moon for the first time at some point in the future.
To read our blog on “NASA aims for the Moon, on its journey toward Mars,” click here.
