Tucked in the press conference announcing changes to the overall Artemis program, NASA also gave a brief update on the status of Artemis II today. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Artemis II would “launch in the weeks ahead,” and reiterated that available April launch dates include opportunities on April 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 30. Whether the early April dates remain achievable depends on how quickly the helium diagnosis and repairs proceed, as well as completion of other items such as battery replacements.
Press Conference Announcements
Dr. Lori Glaze, NASA’s Deputy Associate Administrator for NASA’s Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD) gave an overview in today’s Artemis press conference: “The data were pretty clear that we were in a no-go situation without the ability to flow helium to the RL-10 engines of the upper stage,” she said today. “While we have the ability to access the boosters and the core stage out at the pad, and we were already in preparations for being able to do the work that needed to be done out there, we do not have the ability to access the interior of the upper stage at the pad. That was the requirement to roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building.”
Dr. Glaze continued, saying “In addition to determining the cause of the helium flow issue, the teams are also going to do a number of other things while we’re in the VAB. We will replace the batteries in the flight termination system and conduct another end-to-end test to meet the Eastern Range safety requirements.”
Additionally, “We’ll give the closeout crew another chance at closing out the Orion capsule — get them a little bit more practice closing out the Orion crew module. The seal on the tail service mast umbilical that supplies the liquid oxygen to the rocket before liftoff will also be replaced to ensure a tight configuration,” she said. “As you recall, the twin seal that supplies liquid hydrogen was already replaced out at the pad. So now we’re going to replace the oxygen seal as well. At the same time, we’re also going to be reviewing the items already stowed in the Orion crew module — some of those time out and need to be replaced.”
Glaze said the team will need “at least a week and a half or so” at the pad after rollout to prepare for launch, and that she would provide an estimated rollout date once the VAB work plan solidifies. Stay tuned.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Flight Termination System Retest | Conducted to meet Eastern Range safety requirements |
| LOX Tail Service Mast Umbilical Seal | Seal will be replaced to ensure a tight configuration; the liquid hydrogen seal on the opposite side was already replaced at the pad after leaks were detected during the first wet dress rehearsal |
| Orion Crew Module Closeout | Closeout procedure will be repeated, giving the closeout crew additional practice on a procedure that ran longer than expected during earlier processing |
| Time-Limited Stowed Items | Items inside the Orion crew module will be reviewed and replaced as needed |
Photo: Charles Boyer
Author: Charles Boyer
NASA kid from Cocoa Beach, FL, born of Project Apollo parents and family. I’m a writer and photographer sharing the story of spaceflight from the Eastern Range here in Florida.
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