NASA’s latest attempt to power the moon’s huge rocket for a countdown test was thwarted on Thursday by a dangerous hydrogen leak, the latest in a series of troublesome equipment problems. The launch team had just started loading fuel on the main stage of the rocket when the leak occurred. This was NASA’s third shot at a rehearsal general, a necessary step before a test flight to the moon. This time, the launch team managed to load more or less cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen into the main stage of the 30-story Space Launch System rocket, but fell far short of the full amount. Liquid hydrogen is extremely dangerous, with officials noting that the systems were checked for leaks before the test. The technicians deliberately left the smaller upper stage empty after discovering a bad valve last week. The helmet inside the upper tier can not be replaced until the rocket returns to its lair at the Kennedy Space Center. Two previous countdown attempts have been marred by fans and a large manual valve that workers accidentally left closed on the pillow last week. Officials said via Twitter that they were evaluating their next steps. NASA was aiming for the 322-foot (98-meter) SLS rocket launch debut in June. The empty Orion capsule at the top will be sent on a four- to six-week mission around the moon and back. The astronauts will take part in the second test flight around the Moon, which is scheduled for 2024. This will follow as early as 2025 with the first astronaut landing on the Moon since 1972. NASA plans to announce crews for these two missions this summer. More delays for NASA rocket test on the moon, fuel supply has stopped © 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, transmitted, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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