NASA fuels moon rocket in test, but pesky leaks strike again

NASA’s moon rocket sprouted more fuel leaks in a test ahead of a possible launch attempt next week, but engineers managed to get them down to acceptable levels.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA’s new moon rocket sprouted more fuel leaks Wednesday in a test ahead of a possible launch attempt next week, but engineers managed to get them down to acceptable levels.

There was no immediate word on whether NASA would try for a liftoff Tuesday given the sporadic nature of the hydrogen leaks, which have bedeviled the launch team for months.

“Leaving a lot of folks scratching their heads on this one,” said Launch Control’s Derrol Nail.

The daylong demo had barely begun when hazardous hydrogen fuel began escaping at the same place and same time as before, despite new seals and other repairs. Engineers halted the flow and warmed the lines in hopes of plugging the leak, and proceeded with the test. But the leak persisted before dropping to acceptable levels. Hours later, another leak cropped up elsewhere.

Nail said all test objectives were met. But managers need to review the results before determining whether the 322-foot (98-meter) rocket is ready for its first test flight, a lunar-orbiting mission with mannequins instead of astronauts.

https://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/nasa-tries-fueling-moon-rocket-test-leak-reoccurs-rcna48825

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