Space and Science BS Thread

A helpful guide:
https://twitter.com/spcplcyonline/status/1564183620952154112?s=21&t=1EvyeIQGSAknEMX1uSAqOQ

 

https://twitter.com/stephenclark1/status/1564196197480505346?s=21&t=1EvyeIQGSAknEMX1uSAqOQ

 

Scrubbed

 

I believe the SRBs have an ablative material that protects the nozzle and segments. No active cooling system.

 

Came here to say this.

 

Official? Thanks for the heads up

 

Sounds like it’s a bleed in one of the engines and not the umbilical connector. Can they swap with one of the other 12 they have before the launch window closes on the 5th or when is the next window after that? I’m assuming an engine swap is easier than a part swap because they’d still have to test the engine after repairs.

 

This isn't starship, they gotta roll it back into the VAB for a swap.

 

You were able to understand the NASA press conference? I couldn't get the audio to come through correctly.

 

I’d assumed that much at least which is why I don’t think they can make the 2nd window and possibly not the third but even SH went back to the high bay for engine repairs or swaps after the spin prime explosion. They have the new platform and eventually might use it for a quick swap but that event required a more extensive survey and repairs.

 

It was from a later broadcast I guess. It was just audio on YouTube with a few different views of the launch site. They were saying that engineers wanted to keep it fueled a bit longer to gather more data on the bleed before draining the tanks.

 

Partial answer; in general two weeks on, two weeks off so if we miss the 5th then somewhere around the 3rd or 4th week of September at the earliest(don’t know where we’re at in the current window) .
https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/11/artemis-1-launch-periods/

 

https://twitter.com/spcplcyonline/status/1564301323482324993?s=21&t=7IOp3ZT8VrO4VtbCvoA8hA

But then again:
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1564312736108011521?s=21&t=7IOp3ZT8VrO4VtbCvoA8hA

 

The launch window is approximately two weeks on two weeks off but they have only 20 days to get going or it’s back to the VAB to stay for a lengthy recertification process. Let’s hope they can find the problem and fix it but it’s been an ongoing issue it seems throughout the wdr’s. Dealing with hydrogen is hard. Don’t want to flame anyone but isn’t this what wdr’s are supposed to sort through? Some serious money just got wasted.

 

Saturday, next attempt. I’ll find a source.

 

The WDRs, apparently, stopped short of engine chill.

 

What was said today in a briefing was that they were intended but didn’t happen in the previous wdr because of the leak issue. They knew this could be an issue as well as the leak since neither were subsequently tested at cryo temps. At least now they say they have the data and plan needed to correct the issue by the new launch time on Saturday. I guess that means they have no way to cryo test short of a full wdr and for some reason were unwilling to perform another even though they hadn’t yet been fully successful. I suppose it also means we’ll be going into Saturday similarly untested. I don’t mind me crossing my fingers but it seems odd at this point they would proceed on that basis.

 

The plan being to begin engine cooling earlier in the countdown.

 

Well, since they’ve rushed this project through so fast, there’s never enough time to really test things. If only they had more time and money so as to meticulously test and revise as needed, they certainly would have launched by now.

 

I wonder if they will detank between now and Saturday?

Also, I thought I read somewhere that the leak was actually a non-issue because it was on the hydrogen recycle side of things?