Over the past day, teams have worked to repair a leak in the umbilical of the aft service mast. They replaced a hose and a loose pressure sensor wire that could have been the source of the leak. The team also readjusted or tightened the bolts around the casing to ensure tightness when supercooled propellant was introduced through these lines. While no leaks were detected at ambient temperature, the team will continue to monitor during canning operations.
The team will adjust the procedure to cool down the engine during the liquid hydrogen rapid fill phase of the core stage, roughly 30 to 45 minutes earlier in the countdown, a process also known as a start-up bleed test. This will allow more time to cool the engine to the proper temperature before launch.
U.S. Air Force Space Launch Pad 45 meteorologists forecast a 60 percent rate of favorable weather conditions that would improve throughout Saturday’s window.
On Saturday, NASA TV will provide live coverage and commentary on the tank operation starting at 5:45 a.m. ET. Full launch coverage in English will begin at 12:15 p.m. that day.