NASA is testing all its new tech for its manned mission to the Moon

• The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is going to 'Green Run Test' its Artemis launch.
• The launch is integrating a lot of new technology like the tallest ever rocket stage that NASA has ever built, its RS-25 engines and the Orion spacecraft.
• Jim Bridenstine, NASA's administrator, tweeted that it's better to spot any issues with Artemis 'earlier rather than later'.

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is going to be testing the first eight minutes of the Artemis launch sequence to make sure that all goes according to plan on D-Day.

This is the first time since 1972 that the US is attempting to go back to the Moon, and looks like it wants to get it right. Jim Bridenstine, NASA's Administrator, tweeted that it's important to find issues with the launch vehicle 'earlier rather than later'.


This is also the first time that NASA will use its 212 foot tall core rocket stage — the tallest rocket stage it has ever built. It will support the 8.8 million pounds of thrust required to get the Orion spacecraft, built specifically for Artemis, off the ground.



All systems go

The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is the only one that can send Orion, astronauts and the supplies they need to the Moon on a single mission.

Its 'Green Run Test' at NASA's Stennis Space Center can be broken into two parts. 'Green' refers to the new hardware that's being implemented to power the launch. And, 'run' refers to all the systems working together in sync for the first time.


For instance, RS-25 engine is a new technology developed by NASA. These engines were individually tested earlier this year. But, the 'Green Run Test' will have the engines working alongside the other systems required to launch Artemis into space.


"With Green Run, we verify each individual component operates well within the core stage system," states Lisa Bates, SLS deputy stages manager.

"It's more than testing. It's the first time the stage will come to life and be fully operational from the avionics in the top of the core stage to the engines at the bottom," she explains.

This is the first time since the Apollo Program shut down in 1972 that the United States is attempting to go back to the Moon. Their final and sixth manned Moon landing was Apollo 17 in December 1972.

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