A second fueling test on NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was successful on Thursday night. This gives managers confidence to plan a launch of four astronauts around the Moon as soon as March 6.
In this test, there were no major leaks, unlike the first attempt on February 2. Technicians replaced seals on the rocket after a hydrogen gas leak. During the latest countdown at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the seals worked well.
Lori Glaze, a NASA manager, said the fixes performed well. She added they fully fueled the SLS rocket on time. This success keeps the Artemis II mission on schedule for a launch next month. NASA had to stop previous launch plans due to a persistent hydrogen leak.
NASA is now looking at March 6 as the earliest launch date. However, Glaze warned there is still work to do before the launch can happen. If everything goes well, the Artemis II mission could lift off at 8:29 pm EST on March 6.
The mission will last between nine and ten days. It will take NASA’s Orion spacecraft around the far side of the Moon before returning to Earth, setting a record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth.
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Vocabulary List:
6 words · tap to reveal
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AccentSpeed
Success/səkˈsɛs/noun
The accomplishment of an aim or purpose.
Persistent/pərˈsɪstənt/adjective
Continuing to exist or endure over a prolonged period.
Confidence/ˈkɒn.fɪ.dəns/noun
The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something.
Mission/ˈmɪʃ.ən/noun
An important task or duty assigned to a person or group.
Countdown/ˈkaʊn(t)daʊn/noun
The backward counting to indicate the time remaining before an event.
Launch/lɔːnʧ/verb
To send a spacecraft or vehicle into the air or into space.
