NASA, Space Force resolve SLS flight termination system issue

Science & Tech 13:00 14.08.2022
NASA and the U.S. Space Force have resolved an issue with the flight termination system on the Space Launch System that could have cut short the vehicle’s inaugural launch campaign.
 
In an update late Aug. 12, NASA said it worked with Space Launch Delta 45, the Space Force unit that operates the Eastern Range, to extend the certification of the flight termination system (FTS) on the rocket from 20 to 25 days. That extension will be valid for all attempts for the upcoming Artemis 1 mission.
 
NASA officials previously said the 20-day limit on the FTS, after which the unit would need to be retested, restricted the launch opportunities for the mission. The Eastern Range requires the FTS to be tested 15 days before launch, starting a 20-day clock to conduct the launch. That would have allowed launches to take place on Aug. 29 and Sept. 2, but not a third opportunity Sept. 5.
 
“The clock starts during processing in the VAB,” or Vehicle Assembly Building, said Judd Frieling, NASA Artemis 1 ascent/entry flight director, during a briefing Aug. 5 at the Johnson Space Center. Specifically, that period starts when the batteries for the FTS are installed and charged.
 
Those batteries, he said, were previously certified for only 20 days. “They are in talks with the Eastern Range to extend that certification to a little bit longer than 20 days, hopefully to bring in a third attempt, but those negotiations are still in work.”
 
With the extension of the FTS certification to 25 days, NASA could proceed with a Sept. 5 launch opportunity if needed. That is the last launch opportunity before the current launch period, driven by operational requirements such as a daytime splashdown of the Orion spacecraft at the end of the mission, ends Sept. 6.
 
The FTS, designed to destroy the vehicle if it veers off course after launch, is located in an area of the core stage accessible only in the VAB and not at the pad. If Artemis 1 does not launch by Sept. 5, it would have to roll back to the VAB to recertify the FTS. Cliff Lanham, senior vehicle operations manager for NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems program, said in a July briefing that it would be a “real challenge” to complete that work and roll the vehicle back out in time for a launch during the next launch period, which opens Sept. 20 and runs through Oct. 4.
 
With the extension of the FTS certification, NASA is moving into the final steps of vehicle preparations inside the VAB before rolling the vehicle back to Launch Complex 39B. That rollout is scheduled to begin shortly after midnight Eastern Aug. 18.
IEPF issued a statement regarding Azerbaijani children at the UN Human Rights Council

News line

Members of the Public Council under ANAMA have visited the region
16:52 08.05.2025
The "Roots of Peace" organization will host the "Peace Walk"
16:49 08.05.2025
"Since 1948 SL Heads of State have ‘relayed’ on the Ethnic conflict"
15:32 08.05.2025
A conference on the topic "Heydar Aliyev-Independence and Glorious Victory" was held in Lachin
12:44 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan showcases tourism opportunities in Israel
12:39 08.05.2025
''Azerbaijan House'' opened in Lebanon
12:33 08.05.2025
Vietnam prioritizes strategic and political cooperation with Azerbaijan
12:27 08.05.2025
Opening of new Baku City Prosecutor's Office building held
12:23 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Morocco may organize mutual cultural days
12:15 08.05.2025
Sahiba Gafarova: Heydar Aliyev's personality is symbol of wisdom for every Azerbaijani
12:09 08.05.2025
Milli Majlis to adopt statement on Heydar Aliyev's 102nd birth anniversary
12:03 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan Confederation of Trade Unions organized an event
11:58 08.05.2025
The 102nd anniversary of the birth of National Leader Heydar Aliyev was celebrated in Berlin
11:52 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan's First Lady Mehriban Aliyeva attended session at Antalya Diplomacy Forum
11:43 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan, Vietnam explore prospects for educational cooperation
11:37 08.05.2025
Petrovietnam aims to expand cooperation with Azerbaijan
11:32 08.05.2025
The heads of state of Azerbaijan and Vietnam made statements to the press
11:29 08.05.2025
Kamran Aliyev:' 'Heydar Aliyev had unparalleled role as founder of Azerbaijani statehood''
11:24 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Vietnamese discuss strategic partnership
11:21 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan ready for further coordination and cooperation with Syria
11:16 08.05.2025
Scientists have discovered a possible candidate for the ninth planet in the solar system
11:12 08.05.2025
Business Council to be established between Azerbaijan and Vietnam
11:08 08.05.2025
May 8 is World Thalassemia Day
11:03 08.05.2025
Special session of Milli Majlis dedicated to year of Constitution and sovereignty
10:59 08.05.2025
General Secretary of the Central Committee Of Vietnam visited the Alley of Martyrs
10:51 08.05.2025
General Secretary of the Central Committee of Vietnam visits the Old City
10:47 08.05.2025
Azerbaijan's position with China as a reliable partner is strengthening
10:43 08.05.2025
The Aztelekom flag was raised at the Heydar Aliyev Summit
10:39 08.05.2025
President: There are great prospects for cooperation between Azerbaijan and Vietnam in the defense industry
10:34 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani and Iraqi FMs explore regional issues
10:25 08.05.2025
Joint Statement opens new chapter in the history of Vietnam-Azerbaijan relations
10:12 08.05.2025
Leaders of Azerbaijan and Vietnam viewed exhibition of Vietnamese paintings
10:09 08.05.2025
Azerbaijani Foreign Minister meets with Iraqi PM
10:02 08.05.2025
Rebuilding hope amid the landmines Thembisa Fakude writting...
13:45 07.05.2025
How TikTok and Instagram Became New Tools of Diplomacy?
12:44 07.05.2025
Students of one of Turkey's leading universities were informed about the legacy of the great Nizami Ganjavi
12:26 07.05.2025
Azerbaijani energy minister holds several meetings in Türkiye
12:21 07.05.2025
Azerbaijan-Iran bilateral cooperation agenda discussed in Baku
12:18 07.05.2025
Azerbaijan shows progress in banking regulatory reforms
12:17 07.05.2025
About 20 Azerbaijani citizens returned from Germany yesterday
12:13 07.05.2025
Hamısı