Member-only story
Artemis Flies
The largest rocket ever built by humans successfully launched last night right after I gave up and went to bed.
Artemis I is not yet a success, but launch is one of the most complicated parts of any space mission. Hence why it was delayed.
And delayed.
This was the third attempt to launch Artemis I and it didn’t quite go off on schedule.
Rocket science is complicated. So is rocket engineering (which most people mistakenly call rocket science. Science is the design and math. Engineering is building these things.
What Caused the Delay?
The previous problems with Artemis were caused by the sheer volume of cryogenic fuel. Loading that amount of liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LHO) was causing fuel line leaks. NASA solved this problem procedurally by slowing down the first part of the tanking (fueling) process to reduce thermal shock.
This, thankfully, worked.
Until the LHO replenish valve started to leak. Oops.
This required the amazing bravery and skill of a Red Crew. Red Crew members are technicians and mechanics who are specially trained to work in extremely hazardous environments. Such as and for example right next to a fully tanked rocket that is leaking hydrogen. Whewf. All respect to them!