"According to NASA administrator Jared Isaacman, the failure was due to an interruption in the helium flow in the interim cryogenic propulsion stage of the Space Launch System (SLS). The helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks. This system had functioned correctly in the two dress rehearsals conducted this month, but the failure occurred during a routine operation."
"The rocket is on its way back to the hangar. "I understand people are disappointed by this development," the official stated on his X account. "That disappointment is felt most by the team at NASA, who have been working tirelessly to prepare for this great endeavor. During the 1960s, when NASA achieved what most thought was impossible, and what has never been repeated since, there were many setbacks.""
A failure occurred due to an interruption in the helium flow in the interim cryogenic propulsion stage of the Space Launch System (SLS). Helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks. The system functioned correctly during two prior dress rehearsals this month, but the failure occurred during a routine operation. Engineers must perform repairs from the Vehicle Assembly Building, making the March launch window impossible and sending the rocket back to the hangar. Rapid preparations could preserve an April launch window depending on data, repair progress, and schedule coordination in the coming days.
Read at WIRED
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