Updates SLS Updates

[Pioneer]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2021/12/17/artemis-i-integrated-testing-update/

The text starts with this:
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are undergoing integrated testing inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to ensure they are “go” for launch of the Artemis I mission early next year.

but then:
reviewing launch opportunities in March and April


Any bets on a Summer launch?

Next fall at this point

 

[Urwumpe]

They need to swap engine controllers during a chip crisis. They won't launch before April 2032.

 

[Thunder Chicken]

Any bets on a Summer launch?

Depends. What year?

 

[N_Molson]

Feb. 2022 still on the table AFAIK

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_Launch_System

I must say, the "News Archives" section on the NASA website begins to look like an encyclopedia, a rather messy one.

 

[Sbb1413]

https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2021/12/17/artemis-i-integrated-testing-update/

The text starts with this:
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft are undergoing integrated testing inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to ensure they are “go” for launch of the Artemis I mission early next year.

but then:
reviewing launch opportunities in March and April


Any bets on a Summer launch?

Yup, likely. As I have witnessed numerous delays of the Webb Telescope, it is no wonder to me that the ambitious Artemis missions will be delayed like this too.

 

[Kyle]

Heh. Summer would be H2 2022. A few years ago, on a different site, I was called a "troll" and "SpaceX fanboy" for suggesting it would delay until mid/late 2022.

 

[Max-Q]

In 9 years, the United States went from no manned space flight experience to Neil and Buzz on the moon. How long will it take to regain what we once had?

 

[Arvil]

Yeah, where’s JFK when we need him.

 

[GLS]

News, yes.
Surprising, no.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1488903877655150596

Meanwhile

https://twitter.com/x/status/1488942192651612162

 

[Thunder Chicken]

News, yes.
Surprising, no.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1488903877655150596

And the wet dress rehearsal isn't a foregone conclusion either. I'd reckon the odds of something cropping up where it will need to go back into the high bay isn't zero.

 

[DaveS]

And the wet dress rehearsal isn't a foregone conclusion either. I'd reckon the odds of something cropping up where it will need to go back into the high bay isn't zero.

That was always the plan, roll out for the WDR, then roll back for final close-outs and the second part of FTS installation then a second roll out for launch countddown.

 

[Sbb1413]

The Space Launch System is no longer just an artwork we speculate on whether it will work or not. It is now a real rocket ready for wet dress rehearsal.

 

[Urwumpe]

The VAB bay doors are moving!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504483125518163980

 

[DaveS]

The VAB bay doors are moving!

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504483125518163980

This is the same VAB High Bay that Columbia rolled out on December 29 1980, 41 years, 2 months, 2 weeks and 2 days ago.

 

[GLS]

Official live stream for the rollout (in ~4 hours)

 

[N_Molson]

That's a sight !

 

[MarkWatney2015]

That's a sight !

Indeed it is!

 

[Sbb1413]

That's a sight !

Indeed it is!
View attachment 28250

Breathtaking views that were confined in NASA's computer simulations for years! I can't believe my eyes!

 

[4throck]

Very nice to see
At the moment there are two huge rockets (SLS + Starship) undergoing pad tests. That's great!

 

[MarkWatney2015]

Artemis 1 at Pad 39B, early morning EDT on Friday, 2022-Mar-18:

The first rocket to stand at that specific launch pad since Ares 1-X