The core stage for the first flight of Nasa’s Space Launch System rocket is seen in the B-2 Test Stand during a scheduled eight minute duration hot fire test at the Stennis Space Centre in January, 2021. Afp / Nasa
The core stage for the first flight of Nasa’s Space Launch System rocket is seen in the B-2 Test Stand during a scheduled eight minute duration hot fire test at the Stennis Space Centre in January, 2021. Afp / Nasa
The Super Launch System is the world's most powerful rocket and will launch the Orion spacecraft to the Moon under Nasa's Artemis programme. A second Green Run hot-fire test is scheduled for March 18. If successul, it will help Nasa set a launch date for the Artemis mission. Nasa
The Super Launch System is the world's most powerful rocket and will launch the Orion spacecraft to the Moon under Nasa's Artemis programme. A second Green Run hot-fire test is scheduled for March 18. If successul, it will help Nasa set a launch date for the Artemis mission. Nasa
This is the second core stage test of the Space Launch System. The first one in January ended in a glitch due to a problem with the hydraulics system. Nasa
This is the second core stage test of the Space Launch System. The first one in January ended in a glitch due to a problem with the hydraulics system. Nasa
The ‘Green Run hot-fire test’ at Nasa's Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi will measure the performance of the giant rocket’s four engines. Nasa
The ‘Green Run hot-fire test’ at Nasa's Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi will measure the performance of the giant rocket’s four engines. Nasa
Nasa's Moon rocket boosters at Kennedy Space Centre. Credit: Nasa
Nasa's Moon rocket boosters at Kennedy Space Centre. Credit: Nasa

Science

Artemis missions: Nasa to conduct ground test of Moon rocket on Thursday

Outcome will help US space agency to set a launch date for its uncrewed Moon mission this year

Sarwat Nasir
Sarwat Nasir
UAE

March 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

US space agency Nasa will carry out an engine test on the world's most powerful rocket on Thursday, part of a larger plan to establish a base on the Moon by 2030.

This is the second core stage test of the Space Launch System (SLS). The first one in January ended prematurely after a problem with the hydraulics system.

The "Green Run hot-fire test" at the Stennis Space Centre in Mississippi will measure the performance of the giant rocket’s four engines.

If successful, it will help Nasa set a launch date for the Artemis I mission – an uncrewed test flight around the Moon that will check performance, life support and communication capabilities.

The initial launch date was scheduled for November 2021, but there could be a delay depending on the outcome on Thursday.

"Nasa's SLS rocket is the most powerful rocket in the world, built to send both astronauts aboard Orion [spacecraft] and supplies on missions to the Moon and beyond," Nasa said.

“The Green Run is a comprehensive test of the SLS core stage, a complex new rocket stage that not only includes four RS-25 engines and enormous propellant tanks that hold more than 700,000 gallons [2.46 million litres] of super-cold propellant, but also flight computers and avionics that control the first eight minutes of flight.”

A graphic explaining the Green Run test. Credit: Nasa
A graphic explaining the Green Run test. Credit: Nasa

When the engines fire, the test will simulate the core stage’s operation during launch, generating 725,474 kilograms of thrust.

The window for the test opens at 11pm tonight, Gulf Standard Time.

The Artemis programme

Nasa launched the programme to establish a human base on the Moon, a stepping stone to sending astronauts to Mars.

The space agency revealed plans for three Artemis missions under the programme.

It involves the development of the Lunar Gateway – a research station that will orbit the Moon.

Artemis I

If the Green Run test on Thursday satisfies Nasa, the core stage of the rocket will be shipped to the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida for integration with the Orion spacecraft.

The Artemis I mission will take off this year and pave the way for future crewed lunar missions.

Human beings have not been to the Moon since the last Apollo lunar mission in 1972.

Artemis II

The second flight will send the next man and first woman to the Moon by 2023. The crewed Orion spacecraft will do a flyby.

Nasa will conduct additional tests before launch, because astronauts will have to manually pilot the Orion for part of the flight.

The manual piloting will help the agency to assess the spacecraft’s hardware and software performance.

Artemis III

Astronauts will land on the lunar South Pole in 2024.

They would either directly board a commercial human landing system or dock to the Gateway after arrival.

Three commercial space companies – SpaceX, Blue Origin and Dynetics – are building human landers for the Artemis programme under a contract awarded by Nasa.

Astronauts will spend nearly seven days collecting samples and conducting science experiments on the surface. They will then use the Orion to return to Earth.

UAE's Mars mission - in pictures 

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally thank staff from mission control in Dubai after Hope probe's successful orbit entry on February 9. The National
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid personally thank staff from mission control in Dubai after Hope probe's successful orbit entry on February 9. The National
A man celebrates at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A man celebrates at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A guest attending the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
A guest attending the Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Burj Park was set up for people to watch the Hope probe attempt its Mars orbit insertion. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter
Burj Park was set up for people to watch the Hope probe attempt its Mars orbit insertion. Courtesy: UAE Government Twitter
UAE Mars Mission engineer, Hessa Al Matroushi, was interviewed at a Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
UAE Mars Mission engineer, Hessa Al Matroushi, was interviewed at a Burj Park event to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade, attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Engineer Hessa Al Matroushi attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Engineer Hessa Al Matroushi attended the event at Burj Park to mark the arrival of the Hope probe to Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
TV crews get ready at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
TV crews get ready at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An event at Dubai's Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
An event at Dubai's Burj Park to celebrate the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests and media arrive at an event at Burj Park to witness Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests and media arrive at an event at Burj Park to witness Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Guests arrive at an event at Burj Park to mark the Hope probe's Mars orbit insertion attempt. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Burj Khalifa lights up at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The Burj Khalifa lights up at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
The UAE Flag area on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi lights up in red to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National
The UAE Flag area on the Corniche in Abu Dhabi lights up in red to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National
The ADNOC Headquarters lights up in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National
The ADNOC Headquarters lights up in Abu Dhabi to celebrate the success of the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Victor Besa / The National
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed celebrates with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed celebrates with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to celebrate the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to mark the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
People celebrate at an event at Burj Park in Dubai to mark the Hope probe going into orbit around Mars. Chris Whiteoak / The National
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe

Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010

Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille

Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm

Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year

Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”

Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners

TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013 

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Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

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UAE's role in anti-extremism recognised

General John Allen, President of the Brookings Institution research group, commended the role the UAE has played in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism.

He told a Globsec debate of the UAE’s "hugely outsized" role in the fight against Isis.

"It’s trite these days to say that any country punches above its weight, but in every possible way the Emirates did, both militarily, and very importantly, the UAE was extraordinarily helpful on getting to the issue of violent extremism," he said.

He also noted the impact that Hedayah, among others in the UAE, has played in addressing violent extremism.

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Dr Ayham Ammora, scientist and business executive

Ali Azeem, business leader

Tony Booth, professor of education

Lord Browne, former BP chief executive

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, economist

Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

Gina MIller, anti-Brexit campaigner

Lord Smith, former Cabinet minister

Sandi Toksvig, broadcaster

 

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Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

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Crystal Palace 0 Manchester City 2

Man City: Jesus (39), David Silva (41)

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