NASA is still hoping to launch Artemis 2 in the March window but won’t set a target launch date until it’s satisfied with repairs to seals on two fuel lines.
In an update NASA said technicians have replaced two seals around two fuelling lines. The seals were replaced after NASA noticed “higher than allowable hydrogen gas concentrations during” the wet dress rehearsal.
The seals in question are part of the tail service mast umbilical on the mobile launcher.
NASA said that the “Two tail service masts, each about three stories tall, provide cryogenic propellant lines and electrical cable connections to the SLS core stage. The tail service masts tilt back before launch and include ‘quick disconnects,’ mechanisms that instantaneously disconnect at liftoff to ensure a safe and reliable retraction at launch.”
Engineers detached “rocket and ground-side interface plates to inspect the area of the elevated gas levels, and replace seals around two fueling lines.” The removed seals are being analyzed by engineers.
With the seals replaced NASA said it expects to have the interfaces reconnected sometime today. Although new seals are in place testing will continue at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi, “to evaluate additional dynamics of the plates.”
NASA has also made some changes to operations ahead of the next wet dress rehearsal.
“The Orion crew module hatch will be closed prior to the test, and the closeout crew responsible on launch day for assisting the Artemis II crew into their seats and closing Orion’s two hatches will not be deployed to the launch pad. The crew access arm will not be retracted during the next rehearsal, after engineers successfully demonstrated the ground launch sequencer can retract it during the final phase of the countdown.”
They have also added “added 30 minutes of extra time during each of two planned holds in the countdown before and after tanking operations to allow more time for troubleshooting, increasing the total time of the countdown by one hour. The additional time will not affect the crew’s timeline on launch day.”
As for the the astronauts, they are continuing their training activities.