Smoke Alarm Triggered After Artemis I Rocket Rolled Back in Advance of Hurricane Ian

By NASA September 28, 2022 NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher as it goes back to the Vehicle Assembly Building from Launch Pad 39 B, Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. NASA decided to rollback based upon the most recent weather condition forecasts connected with Hurricane Ian. NASA’s Artemis I objective is the very first incorporated test of the company’s deep area expedition systems: the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Credit: NASA/Joel Kowsky On Monday, NASA Artemis I supervisors chose to roll back the Moon rocket based upon the current weather condition forecasts related to Hurricane Ian disappointing enhancing anticipated conditions for the Kennedy location in Florida. At 11: 21 p.m. EDT that night, the Artemis I Moon rocket left launch pad 39 B atop the crawler-transporter ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Ian and started its 4-mile trek to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at NASA’s Kennedy Space. At roughly 9: 15 a.m. EDT on Tuesday early morning, NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I objective were protected inside the VAB after finishing the four-mile journey from Launch Pad 39 B. A brief time later on, at around 11: 45 a.m. Tuesday, an emergency alarm was set off in the VAB. The notice came when an arc flash occasion took place at a port on an electrical panel in High Bay 3. A stimulate arrived on a rope marking the limit of the workspace. As the rope started to smolder, employees pulled the alarm, and workers left the structure securely. The occurrence happened on the 3rd flooring of F-tower at the Mobile Launcher power connection. After professionals closed down power to the panel, the center’s emergency situation responders stated the VAB safe for workers to go back to work. There were no reported injuries, and neither the Artemis I rocket nor the spacecraft was at threat. Engineers and service technicians are assessing the cause. Typhoon Ian is anticipated to bring continual hurricane force winds to Kennedy as early as Wednesday night. After the storm has actually passed, groups will carry out examinations to identify effects at the center and develop a forward prepare for the next launch effort, consisting of changing the core phase flight termination system batteries and retesting the system to guarantee it can end the flight if required for public security in case of an emergency situation throughout launch.
Read More