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The second time was a charm. NASA on Thursday completed a serious hot-fire test of its space launch system Core Stage, following an earlier test that did not go as planned. The event lasted about eight minutes and created a huge billing cloud that spread over a nearby forest at the Staines Space Center in Mississippi.
NASA wants humans to return to the moon. The agency aims an unmanned Artemis I in 2021 around a later-lunar mission, but it needed to pass a lunar rocket through its motion here on Earth.
NASA has referred to the main phase as the “rear of the SLS rocket.” Hot-fires are dramatic things that happen to mimic the rigidity of launch conditions. Today’s event was set to be the final part of a “green run” series of tests designed to examine the main stages of SLS before it actually launches from Earth.
Here is NASA’s description of what happens during the SLS hot-fire: “On the day of the test, engineers will power all major phase systems, load more than 70,000 gallons of cryogenic or supercold, propellant into tanks, and the rocket’s four RS-25 engines.” At the same time generating 1.6 million pounds of thrust to simulate stage performance during the launch. ”
This The first attempt at a hot-fire in mid-January did not go smoothly, As the rocket has been shut down in one minute for what should be an eight-minute test.
In late January, NASA said it planned to launch another hot fire. The do-over test was originally targeted in late February, but was delayed after engineers found the valve – part of the system that supplies liquid oxygen to the engine – was not working properly. The SLS team put the issue in trouble and repaired the valve.
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“After analyzing the initial data, the team determined that after firing the engine for 67.2-seconds on Jan. 16, the shutdown was performed by test parameters that were serviced for the purpose of ensuring the safety of the main stage during testing.” Statement Jan. 19. The agency will aim to make up to eight minutes during the day-over.
NASA reported the core stage, its engines and test stand were all in “excellent condition”, no major repairs needed before the next attempt. The second test seemed to work as expected and Applause asked From a NASA team overseeing the exercise.
While Artemis Mare will not be on the human board, later SLS missions will be responsible for safely carrying astronauts into space. “All SLS rockets use the same core stage design,” NASA said, “so a second green run hot-fire will reduce the risk not only for Artemis I, but for all future SLS missions.” “
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