Live updates for Saturday's Artemis I launch from NASA
The first step in an ambitious plan to establish a long-term presence on the moon for scientific research and economic development was launched by NASA on Monday with the launch of an unmanned spacecraft into the moon's orbit.
The space capsule, called Artemis I, will travel for roughly 40 days -- reaching as close as 60 miles from the moon, and then 40,000 miles above the moon when orbiting over its dark side -- before landing in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
NASA investigating a repeat liquid hydrogen leak
They will close the valve used to fill and drain it, then increase pressure on a ground transfer line using helium to try to reseal it.
As engineers increased the pressure on the flow of liquid hydrogen into the core stage, a leak reappeared, according to NASA.
Engineers will try to reinstall the seal in the cavity of the quick disconnect where the leak was discovered. According to NASA, the liquid oxygen supply to the core stage will keep flowing.
Engineers find a liquid leak, and the Artemis I launch is on schedule.