NASA had to cancel Artemis I Moon rocket launch mission for the third consecutive time. The rocket, which is worth billions of dollars, is now back indoors and off the launchpad.
The world is watching the US space agency and its mission to return us to the Moon, but experts worry that Nasa may be being outperformed by SpaceX’s Elon Musk.
1
Richard Speed, a space industry observer, has been following the progress of space launches all his life.
The U.S. Sun was told by him that SpaceX, a commercial company, continued to launch. This is often in sight of the SLS which has been crippled. It also demonstrated reusability.
“Nasa on the other hand has spent billions turning reusable Space Shuttle parts into expendable hardware, which remains resolutely fixed on the launchpad.
NASA could be forced to focus on spacecraft and get out of space launch.
“A stark reminder of the willingness of hardware abandonment exists across the waters from the SLS launchpad in the form a Saturn V laid out for inspection.
“The same fate might await the Space Launch System should the funding flow be directed elsewhere.”
Nasa hasn’t confirmed a new date for Artemis I’s next launch attempt.
The US space agency is expected to try again later in the year.
Artemis I:
Artemis I, the first part in the mission to send humans back to the Moon, is known as Artemis I. It was scheduled to launch from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center (Florida) on Monday, August 29, 2009.
Due to fuelling errors, however, the launch date for the first product had to be moved back.
Storm Ian caused the launch attempt to fail again.
It will be a 42-day trip around the Moon and Back when it launches.
Nasa may, however, suspend the mission if necessary.
The flight will test out hardware in order for Nasa to land the first woman and first person of color on Moon by 2025.
The crewed mission will be called Artemis III. There are many things that must happen before it is possible.
Artemis I is not a crewed mission, but it must loop around the Moon in order to test three key components.
These include Nasa’s Space Launch System, Orion and European Service Module (ESM).
The ESM and Orion spacecraft should reach the lunar surface within 62 miles. After that, they will travel 40,000 miles further.
After the rocket has circled the dark side the Moon, it should reach the Pacific Ocean just off San Diego.
Nasa has completed a “wet dress rehearsal”The SLS launched back in March. It has since been changed numerous times.