John Paul M. Joaquin Science 06.24.2022 01:Jun AM EDT

Artemis 1 Moon Mission Test Considered Successful by NASA — What's Next?

The SLS rocket is heading for space soon.

NASA recently announced that the fourth wet dress rehearsal is the last and that the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket will soon be prepped for launch in August.

The SLS rocket went through three failed wet dress rehearsals due to leaks and faulty valves. It was only until the SLS received repairs that the fourth test succeeded, with some minor imperfections.

Artemis I Launch Details

NASA mentioned in a blog post that the SLS' fourth wet dress rehearsal is a success, with the previously noted errors being corrected after it underwent repairs in the space agency's vehicle assembly building (VAB).

The rocket was unable to complete the first three wet dress rehearsals due to a liquid nitrogen leak at the service mast umbilical and a faulty interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) gaseous helium system check valve and support hardware.

The space agency validated the test's success through the authentication of the timelines and procedures for the mock launch, such as lading propellant into the rocket's tanks, performing the launch countdown through the handover to the automated launch sequencer, and draining the tanks again.

After determining that Artemis I's SLS rocket is ready for its first unmanned mission, NASA mentioned that the rocket and its Orion spacecraft will be sent back to the VAB to prepare both of them for their first unmanned launch.

NASA mentioned that a hydrogen leak was detected during the fourth wet dress rehearsal and that it needs to be repaired for a seamless launch.

Additionally, the space agency revealed that it would set a specific target launch date in late August.

This specific launch date could be revealed in the upcoming media teleconference NASA will hold on June 24 at 11 AM EDT, wherein it will discuss the next steps for the Artemis I mission.

The space agency will also discuss the rocket and spacecraft's return to the VAB, the repair work for the hydrogen leak, and the mission's launch plans, according to Space.com.

Tom Whitmeyer, NASA Headquarter's deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development, Phil Weber, NASA Kennedy's senior technical integration manager for its Exploration Ground Systems Program, and John Blevins, the chief engineer of the Space Launch System Program for NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center, will be in attendance for the media teleconference.

Cliff Lanham, NASA Kennedy's senior vehicle operations manager for its Exploration Ground Systems Program, will also be present.

Interested people can watch or listen to the teleconference on a livestream broadcast on NASA's website on that day.

Artemis Mission Details

The Artemis mission is set to take humanity back to the moon, with it being the mission to put the first woman and first person of color to the surface of the moon, per NASA's Artemis webpage.

The Artemis missions also aim to establish a base camp on the moon that includes a modern lunar cabin, a rover, and a mobile home to serve as astronauts' base of operations to conduct scientific and astronomical experiments and discoveries.