Again…
NASA is targeting an April 1 launch for its Artemis II mission around the moon, marking the first crewed lunar flight since Apollo in 1972.
Officials said Thursday they completed a flight readiness review (FRR) and are set to roll the rocket back to the pad March 19 followed by final configuration for launch.
A potential launch for the 10-day mission is scheduled for 6:24 p.m. ET April 1, with a backup date of April 2 at 7:22 p.m.
Full article, HERE from Fox News.
I almost hate to say this, but I’m glad ‘I’ am not part of this…
Trying to overcome the inertia at NASA has to be an uphill climb at best, and a losing cause at worst. The fact that they aren’t even doing an unmanned automated flight makes me wonder if they are jumping the gun.
Especially with the ‘known’ issues with the leaks.
Personally, I ‘think’ this is too much, too fast. But I can’t help but wonder if they are trying to beat SpaceX and are willing to put lives in danger for political points…
Why do we need to spend the money to go make a lap around the moon ? To what gain ? I’m halfway through my first cup of coffee , not really awake , but that is the first thought in my head . But at least I’m not drinking jim beam and off topic . Happy Friday to All!!
The last time NASA went fast for political points, it was called the Challenger disaster, and the engineer who refused to sign off on the flight is still languishing in a dead-end position, for being right.
+1
PR stunts to gain budget dollars is a poor reason to risk lives.
You would have to hold a gun to my head, and even then I might prefer the bullet.
As you asked: Why put the astronauts on what could have been an automated flight that would prove the same ability?
If the purpose of flight test is to destroy expensive prototypes and maybe kill people, then Heero Yuy might be almost the perfect flight test pilot.
Arguably, the purpose of DIE is death.
This basically circles back to the question of the true purpose of engineering.
Does an engineer really have no choice but to cooperate with their fellows, and with the consensus on what machines should be made?
If yes, then a long list of acts naturally follows.
If no, then part of an engineer’s duty is to opt out of tasks, projects, and programs that are just that badly thought out or pointless.
They announced April 1st? Seriously? Announce March 31st and be ready to delay a day. Or go with April 2. April 1? A gift to comedians.
Artemis is a creature of the Congress. It was forced on NASA and they’re required by law to fly at least 3 manned missions, I think by 2030 IIRC. It’s a recipe for disaster and NASA should grow a spine and tell Congress they’re ending the program now. They won’t because Congress controls the money, and the Artemis contractors control Congress.
Neither the Congress or the contractors care how many astronauts or launch pad workers die in a catastrophic failure because the know they can blame NASA and get away with it.
“and the Artemis contractors control Congress.”
That is all that needed to be said.
All- ALL of your comments are on point, and I agree. And I kicked the spammer…again… I really don’t want to go to moderation…sigh
I suspect the brass at NASA already has convenient scapegoats lined up to blame if something goes south. And odds are good it will.
X2
NASA is a PR & DEI organization. I wouldn’t ride that thing for all the glory they promise.
Planet P: “Why Me?”
What gender has the rocket decided to identify as?
That’s great! Where will they film it? Just kidding; couldn’t resist.