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NASA Tanks SLS Tanking Due to Fan Problems

By Doug Messier
Parabolic Arc
April 3, 2022
Filed under , , , , , ,
NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out to Launch Complex 39B for the first time, Thursday, March 17, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Ahead of NASA’s Artemis I flight test, the fully stacked and integrated SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will undergo a wet dress rehearsal at Launch Complex 39B to verify systems and practice countdown procedures for the first launch. (Credit: NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (NASA Update) — Teams have decided to scrub tanking operations for the wet dress rehearsal due to loss of ability to pressurize the mobile launcher. The fans are needed to provide positive pressure to the enclosed areas within the mobile launcher and keep out hazardous gases. Technicians are unable to safely proceed with loading the propellants into the rocket’s core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage without this capability.

Teams will now meet to determine next steps and establish a go forward plan. The next opportunity to proceed into tanking is Monday, April 4. Teams will discuss range and commodity availability as part of the forward plan.

Doug Messier

9 responses to “NASA Tanks SLS Tanking Due to Fan Problems”

  1. Stanistani says:
    April 3, 2022 at 10:56 pm
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    I’m not a big fan. Or I could have helped.

  2. publiusr says:
    April 4, 2022 at 1:16 am
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    GSE problems at Boca. Lightning strikes at Florida sent some running I bet.

  3. ThomasLMatula says:
    April 4, 2022 at 3:18 am
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    I wonder how this is going to delay Axiom-1…

    • Emmet Ford says:
      April 4, 2022 at 5:34 am
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      It seems very likely. NASA indicated ahead of time that SLS had priority and slippages would effect Axiom-1.

      • ThomasLMatula says:
        April 4, 2022 at 1:32 pm
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        Which will then effect the schedule crew rotation launch, which will likely impact other flights to ISS… Maybe it is time to dump the ISS in the ocean if NASA regards it as having a lower priority than its re-enactment rocket.

        • P.K. Sink says:
          April 4, 2022 at 3:46 pm
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          I’m guessing not so much NASA. Mostly Ballast Bill. Hopefully he and SLS are the last of the NASA dinosaurs.

        • windbourne says:
          April 4, 2022 at 6:10 pm
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          Why dump the ISS?
          Looks like Russia may leave it. If so, then it will be time to really push adding MULTIPLE other private space habitats on there, vetting them and then having those companies create their own space stations.

  4. ThomasLMatula says:
    April 4, 2022 at 5:46 pm
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    Looks like this roadblock has pushed the Axiom-1 launch until Friday.

    https://www.upi.com/Science…

    April 4, 2022 / 12:25 PM

    Axiom-1 now targeting Friday for launch to ISS after Artemis-1 testing delay

    By Amy Thompson

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