On September 3, 2022, two and a half hours before launch, NASA canceled a second attempt to launch the Artemis 1 mission to the Moon. The Space Launch System (SLS) super-heavy launch vehicle, which carries the 10-cubesat Orion spacecraft, is having problems with a fuel leak. The next attempt, if the problems with the leak are fixed, may take place on September 5th.

NASA explained that numerous efforts by engineers to troubleshoot the leak area by reinstalling the seal in the quick disconnect where liquid hydrogen is fed into the rocket did not fix the problem. NASA engineers continue to collect additional data on this incident.

"Engineers unsuccessfully tried three times to seal the eight-inch pipe that would carry liquid hydrogen to the tanks of the SLS launch vehicle with the Orion spacecraft on top," NASA said.

NASA has begun the process of removing liquid hydrogen and oxygen from the booster tanks.

The first attempt to launch Artemis-1 took place on August 29. The problem arose in one of the four engines, which did not cool to the desired temperature. The team also found a hydrogen leak in the purge tank, which was quickly fixed. Then, due to weather conditions, the start was postponed to September 3.

As part of the Artemis-1 test mission, the Orion spacecraft will head to the Moon in unmanned mode and stay in its orbit for several weeks (about 37 days). Then the ship will return to Earth and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California. The test flight should demonstrate the readiness of the Space Launch System (SLS) launch vehicle and the Orion spacecraft to carry out a manned mission. On board the Orion are three dummies that NASA is going to use to measure radiation levels during the flight.

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