- #1
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- TL;DR
- Artemis 1 could face an earliest and a latest launch date close together
This a half question, half news thread.
Boosters: Artemis I Launch Preparations Are Stacking Up
The first element has been assembled vertically Nov 21. The problem here: As soon as that they assemble the boosters the propellant inside begins to sink down slowly. NASA thinks the booster needs to be launched within 12 months:
If the work from the Nov 24 news counts as "mate the first joint" then the clock is ticking.
The launch needs Orion, where a power supply unit failed in early November. A full repair could take a whole year, some other approaches might be faster. The conflict potential with the boosters is obvious.
NASA knew about the power supply issue, so why did they start with the booster assembly? Was the part that they combined not starting the 12 month countdown yet? Are they confident Orion will be ready within a year? Or did something change about the 12 month timeline?
Boosters: Artemis I Launch Preparations Are Stacking Up
The first element has been assembled vertically Nov 21. The problem here: As soon as that they assemble the boosters the propellant inside begins to sink down slowly. NASA thinks the booster needs to be launched within 12 months:
As the core stage faced delays they delayed stacking (that's also the source for the quote).
If the work from the Nov 24 news counts as "mate the first joint" then the clock is ticking.
The launch needs Orion, where a power supply unit failed in early November. A full repair could take a whole year, some other approaches might be faster. The conflict potential with the boosters is obvious.
NASA knew about the power supply issue, so why did they start with the booster assembly? Was the part that they combined not starting the 12 month countdown yet? Are they confident Orion will be ready within a year? Or did something change about the 12 month timeline?