Artemis II: What is the flight termination system?

NASA officials encountered a brief communication issue with the flight termination system, a critical safety system needed before Artemis II could safely launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The issue was resolved in roughly 15 minutes, according to updates posted to NASA’s live blog.

What is the flight termination system?

“The flight termination system is a safety system that allows engineers on the ground to send a signal to destruct the rocket if it were to veer off course during ascent, to protect public safety,” NASA said.

“Without assurance that this system would work if needed, today’s launch would be no-go. However, engineers have devised a way to verify the system and are currently preparing to test this solution.”

How was the issue fixed?

“Engineers have now resolved an issue with the hardware that communicates with the flight termination system that would have prevented the ground from sending a signal to destruct the rocket if it were to veer off course during ascent, to protect public safety. A confidence test was performed to ensure that the hardware is ready to support today’s launch,” NASA said in a 5:15 p.m. update.

Launch abort hatch closure completed

“Meanwhile, technicians have completed the launch abort system hatch closure – an essential step that ensures the Orion spacecraft is fully sealed and ready for flight. The hatch provides an additional protective barrier for the crew module, designed to safeguard astronauts during the Artemis II flight path and, if necessary, enable a rapid escape in the event of an emergency,” NASA said.

Artemis II will send four astronauts to the moon’s orbit and back to Earth on a 10-day mission, the latest in a series of missions that hopes to land humans back on the lunar surface, according to NASA.