BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA has scrubbed a second attempt at launching its Artemis I moon rocket on Saturday. Read live updates below:
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11:19 a.m. update
After more discussion with the launch team, Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson has agreed with the recommendation of “no go” for launch.
The team tried three times to fix a leak in a hydrogen tank during fueling.
NASA’s original backup date is Monday, Labor Day, but they have not said if that will continue on that schedule. NASA is planning a briefing later today.
NASA has scrubbed the Artemis launch today. We do not know when they'll attempt another launch. Could be as soon as Monday if the connector is easily fixed. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/z8GoELpqJr
— Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) September 3, 2022
11:05 a.m. update
Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson wants to hold for now and discuss additional options before scrubbing the launch this afternoon.
11:00 a.m. update
Attempts to fix the leak have not worked. The team has recommended a “no go” for launch and now waiting on Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson to make the final decision.
10:30 a.m. update
The third attempt did not work to fix the leak. They continue to slowly fill the liquid hydrogen tank manually. The team is going over the next steps.
NASA mission control has been providing updates about every 25-30 minutes on the progress.
10:00 a.m. update
Artemis team has been given the go to try an alternate plan to try and fix the leak in a hydrogen tank. This would be the third attempt this morning to fix the problem.
UPDATE: Engineers continue to troubleshoot the quick disconnect that connects the ground system to the rocket. Meanwhile, core stage liquid oxygen is currently 99% full and into topping.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) September 3, 2022
9:45 a.m. update
NASA Artemis engineers are still troubleshooting a leak detected in a hydrogen tank. Attempts to pressurize the line with helium to fix the leak did not work. NASA officials discussing their next steps.
8:45 a.m. update
Saturday morning has been filled with some tank fueling delays.
The first happened around 7:30 a.m. when a fuel leak was detected. The team continued with a slow fuel and by 8:19 a.m. officials reported they were back at full speed.
Teams are performing a manual liquid hydrogen fill after warming up the liquid hydrogen line.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) September 3, 2022
7:30 a.m. update
NASA stopped fueling as a leak was detected by engineers. The launch team started troubleshooting the issue, by warming up the area of the leak.
7:00 a.m. update
“Go” to fuel was given this morning by Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson.
There was a brief delay in fueling due to a pressure alarm just before 7 a.m. That alarm was cleared and engineers continued fueling the tanks with liquid hydrogen.
NASA officials said weather is 60% favorable in the early part of the launch window, but should improve to 80% in the second hour.
#Artemis I Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson has given the 'go' to begin loading propellant into @NASA_SLS for #Artemis I.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) September 3, 2022
MORE: https://t.co/y2mDUH3e5V pic.twitter.com/0jHSs0Ua3E
READ: What’s expected after the Artemis I launch? ‘Gridlock,’ ‘bumper-to-bumper traffic’
READ: NASA wrapping up final preparations for Artemis I launch
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