NASA's SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft receive new equipment for the Artemis II manned mission

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) plans to install new equipment on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. The decision was made after analysing the results of the Artemis I mission.

Here's What We Know

The SLS is the world's most powerful rocket. Late last year, it sent Orion, the largest spacecraft in history, into space. It circled the moon and returned to Earth, landing within 4km of its target. During the return, the insulation was damaged, but NASA declared the mission a success.

The space agency believes that the second lunar mission, Artemis II, will take place as scheduled, i.e. in November 2024. If it is successful, the year 2025 will see American astronauts landing on the moon for the first time since 1972. But first, NASA wants to install new space equipment on both Orion and SLS.

The mobile launcher for the rocket was damaged during the launch. Specialists have already repaired one of the two damaged lifts and are preparing to reinforce the other. The nitrogen supply also needs to be resolved, as the system was disrupted during the November launch. This led to corrosion of the pneumatic tubes, because the water supply and flushing out of the residues, which cause corrosion, could not be done in time.

The scientists also want to improve the insulation layer. Although NASA said that the level of damage to the thermal insulation was within acceptable limits. The destruction of the cladding would not have harmed the astronauts if they had been on board the Orion spacecraft.

Source: The Verge