NASA officials have said they want to try a third launch of the SLS rocket between September 23-27, and that depends on two conditions being met. If it fails to launch in the last decade of September, the new interval will be in the second half of October.

The SLS rocket is on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral and has not been delivered to the hangar, and the sealing components that caused a hydrogen leak during refueling during the Sept. 3 launch attempt have been replaced.

NASA would like to try a launch in September, and there would be two time “windows”:

September 23 from 6.47 to 8.47

September 27 from 11.37 to 12.47

The launch depends on the results of tests, which are due to take place as early as September 17, tests to verify the effectiveness of the repairs currently being made to provide fuel. In addition, the causes of the large-scale hydrogen leak on September 3, which could not be stopped despite efforts for several hours, must be precisely established.

The second condition is related to the pyrotechnic system of self-destruction, which is activated in the event that, after launch, the rocket risks becoming dangerous for people on the ground.

In order for this system to work, it has a set of batteries that are certified for 25 days, after which they need to be charged, which can only be done in the hangar.

Battery certification has already been extended from 20 to 25 days, but discussions are underway to grant an additional waiver that would extend the interval to more than 40 days. If the rejection is received, the rocket can be launched without taking it to the hangar, and therefore the launch will be possible in September. A waiver must be obtained from the United States Space Force, which is part of the US military.