Posted: Sat, Apr 16, 2022, 9:51 AM ET (1351 GMT)
The third time wasn't the charm for NASA Thursday as it halted a countdown rehearsal for the Space Launch System after detecting a hydrogen leak. Controllers were just starting to fill the liquid hydrogen tank on the SLS core stage when they found a leak in an umbilical between the rocket and a service mast on the mobile launch platform. They halted fueling of the stage with the liquid hydrogen tank only 5% full and the liquid oxygen tank about 50% full, and scrubbed the test later in the afternoon. Earlier in the day, controllers dealt with problems with the supply of nitrogen gas used to support operations as well as a temperature limit that was exceeded when loading liquid oxygen. NASA will hold a briefing this afternoon to provide an update on the status of SLS wet dress rehearsal activities.
