Topics NASA | NASA moon mission | moon mission

BS Web Team  |  New Delhi  Last Updated at August 29, 2022 22:29 IST

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on Monday postponed the test fight for Artemis 1 spacecraft. The launch was postponed owing to the fuel leak and an engine problem, which was reported during the lift-off.

Once launched, Artemis 1 will test the Orion spacecraft, a capsule that will orbit the moon and one day carry human crew members there. However, the launch was scrubbed off and the next launch will not take place until Friday, i.e September 2, at the earliest. Let's look at this moon mission and why to go to the moon anyway:

Named after Apollo's mythological twin sister, Artemis, the spacecraft is, according to NASA, the world's most powerful rocket, which is capable of carrying more payload into deep space than any other vehicle. The first flight of the new Space Launch System (SLS), Artemis 1 is a heavy-lift vehicle. Nearly 100-metre tall (a few metres taller than the Statue of Liberty), the rocket can deliver 4 million kg of thrust. A first in the series of increasingly complex missions to the Moon, Artemis 1 is an uncrewed mission. There will be three test dummies --Helga, Zohar and Moonikin Campos --- fitted with sensors to measure vibration, cosmic radiation, and other conditions. During the six-week-long mission, Artemis 1 and the capsule will travel a distance of around 65,000 km to the moon and was scheduled to end with the capsule's splashdown in the Pacific Ocean in October.

Why was the launch postponed?

The launch was postponed due to a malfunctioning RS-25 engine, which was to be bled with liquid hydrogen and oxygen to condition it, before launch.

However, the team engineers noticed that one of the engines was not bleeding as expected. While the countdown clock was put on hold at T minus 40mins, the launch team was unable to resolve the issue.

A crack also seemed to appear in the inner tank's flange, however, after a thorough inspection, the launch team was able to confirm that there were no structural cracks in the tank.

The launch of Artemis 1 represented a milestone in America's quest to put astronauts back on the surface of the moon, for the first time in 50 years, after the Apollo programme ended. Artemis 1 launch will also be the first flight in NASA's 21st century moon-exploration programme. According to nasa.gov, with Artemis 1 on the lunar surface, NASA aims to demonstrate new technologies, business approaches, and capabilities that are needed for future explorations, including Mars. The launch also aims to help more in the study of the moon, its origin, and history.

The cost of Artemis 1 is estimated at $4 billion. With the delays and technical faults, the entire programme will now set NASA back at least $93 billion, by the time astronauts land on the moon once again.

Taking to Twitter, NASA, in a series of tweets informed us about the technical faults in the launch and the delay. A news briefing is also expected later today.

The launch of #Artemis I is no longer happening today as teams work through an issue with an engine bleed. Teams will continue to gather data, and we will keep you posted on the timing of the next launch attempt. https://t.co/tQ0lp6Ruhv pic.twitter.com/u6Uiim2mom

Business Standard has always strived hard to provide up-to-date information and commentary on developments that are of interest to you and have wider political and economic implications for the country and the world. Your encouragement and constant feedback on how to improve our offering have only made our resolve and commitment to these ideals stronger. Even during these difficult times arising out of Covid-19, we continue to remain committed to keeping you informed and updated with credible news, authoritative views and incisive commentary on topical issues of relevance. We, however, have a request. As we battle the economic impact of the pandemic, we need your support even more, so that we can continue to offer you more quality content. Our subscription model has seen an encouraging response from many of you, who have subscribed to our online content. More subscription to our online content can only help us achieve the goals of offering you even better and more relevant content. We believe in free, fair and credible journalism. Your support through more subscriptions can help us practise the journalism to which we are committed. Support quality journalism and subscribe to Business Standard . Digital Editor

Copyrights © 2022 Business Standard Private Ltd. All rights reserved.

Business Standard is happy to inform you of the launch of "Business Standard Premium Services"

As a premium subscriber you get an across device unfettered access to a range of services which include:

Welcome to the premium services of Business Standard brought to you courtesy FIS. Kindly visit the Manage my subscription page to discover the benefits of this programme. Enjoy Reading! Team Business Standard