![]() In addition, for the next launch attempt, the chill-down test will be performed 30 minutes to 45 minutes earlier to reproduce what was done during a successful test firing of the core stage’s engines last year at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. “I think we’ve got enough data to do that, but we’ll have to let the data guide us.” “What we need to do is continue to pore over the data and then polish up our plan on putting the flight rationale together,” Mr. That could mean that on Saturday, the countdown will continue, even if the same temperature readings occur. “And so we will be looking at all the other data that we have, to use it to make an informed decision whether or not we’ve got the engine, all the engines chilled down or not.” “The way the sensor is behaving doesn’t line up with the physics of the situation,” Mr. He said engineers were analyzing other data that could verify that the engines actually were all cold enough. Honeycutt said, the warmer reading might just have been the result of an errant sensor. ![]() Without a chill down, the temperature shock of supercold propellants could crack the metal engine parts. The temperatures of three of the engines were approaching the target of minus 420 degrees Fahrenheit, while the other one was about 40 degrees warmer, said John Honeycutt, the program manager overseeing development of the Space Launch System rocket. The issue that halted the launch on Monday was a liquid hydrogen line that did not adequately chill one of the rocket’s four core-stage engines, part of the preparations needed before ignition. Eastern time, although stormy weather could be passing over the launchpad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at that time. The launch is now scheduled for a two-hour launch window on Saturday, starting at 2:17 p.m.
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