NASA Replaces Leaking Fuel Seals On Artemis I SLS Rocket Before Planned September 23rd Launch

NASA recently announced that important repairs were made to the Space Launch System rocket. Engineers have replaced the SLS’s leaking fuel seals. An SLS fuel line started leaking earlier in October, which forced the space agency’s attempt to launch Artemis I SLS Orion. NASA plans to also run a fuelling testing to ensure that the new seal is functioning as it should. American space agency NASA has stated that September 23 is the target date to send its Artemis I Moon rocket into outer space.

NASA announced on Friday that it had successfully repaired the seals damaged by hydrogen leakage from the Artemis I SLS rocket. The agency was forced to stop its September 3rd attempt at launching its Moon rocket after the leak.

The US space agency Before the next launch attempt, engineers removed the 8-inch line that was used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen from the core stage as well as the 4-inch bleed lines used to redirect some propellant during tanking operations.

NASA reports that technicians connected the umbilical plates and performed inspections over the weekend. A tanking demonstration will be held in September 17.

NASA recently announced it was targeting September 23 to launch Artemis I into orbit. NASA will launch on September 23rd with a landing scheduled for October 18. On September 27, NASA will launch on September 27th with a launch window of 120 minutes and land on October 18. It will also launch on September 27th with a landing scheduled for November 5. NASA has also prepared to support other dates internally in case of need.

NASA has also instructed the Artemis team to continue with preparations for launch and testing. This will include preparations for sufficient supplies of propellants, gases and gases to be used in tanking operations. It will also include flight operations planning.