• The massive Artemis I rocket atop a mobile launch platform en route to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. AFP
    The massive Artemis I rocket atop a mobile launch platform en route to Launch Pad 39B from the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. AFP
  • Nasa's massive new rocket began its first journey to a launchpad ahead of a battery of tests. AFP
    Nasa's massive new rocket began its first journey to a launchpad ahead of a battery of tests. AFP
  • Nasa employees are seen on the stairs outside of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Centre, Florida. AFP
    Nasa employees are seen on the stairs outside of the Rocco A. Petrone Launch Control Centre, Florida. AFP
  • Nasa's Space Launch System rocket. AFP
    Nasa's Space Launch System rocket. AFP
  • Nasa's Space Launch System rocket. AFP
    Nasa's Space Launch System rocket. AFP
  • Invited guests and Nasa employees take photos as Nasa's Space Launch System rocket is rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the first time. AFP
    Invited guests and Nasa employees take photos as Nasa's Space Launch System rocket is rolled out of the Vehicle Assembly Building for the first time. AFP
  • Nasa’s Space Launch System rocket. AFP
    Nasa’s Space Launch System rocket. AFP
  • The Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard. AP Photo
    The Artemis rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard. AP Photo
  • The Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AP Photo
    The Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida. AP Photo
  • A crowd looks on as the massive Artemis I rocket is ferried to Launch Pad 39B from the Kennedy Space Centre. AFP
    A crowd looks on as the massive Artemis I rocket is ferried to Launch Pad 39B from the Kennedy Space Centre. AFP
  • Nasa's next-generation moon rocket Reuters
    Nasa's next-generation moon rocket Reuters

What went wrong with Nasa’s mega Moon rocket?


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

Nasa is taking its mega Moon rocket back to the garage to make a few repairs, after failing to complete a countdown test.

The space agency had rolled out the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion spacecraft to a launch pad in Florida last month for fuelling and a practice launch countdown, in a process known as a wet dress rehearsal.

However, after three failed attempts, the rocket will be taken back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, to fix a faulty helium check valve and the source of a hydrogen leak.

These recent events mean that the much-anticipated launch of the SLS could be further delayed. The rocket was scheduled for a test flight around the Moon this summer as part of the Artemis 1 mission.

“Nasa will take advantage of the opportunity to roll SLS and Orion back to the Vehicle Assembly Building to replace a faulty upper stage check valve and a small leak on the tail service mast umbilical,” the space agency said on its website on Sunday.

“During that time, the agency also will review schedules and options to demonstrate propellant loading operations ahead of launch.”

While the rocket did make some progress during the test, the complete fuelling and pressurisation did not take place, as well as the countdown sequence that allows engineers to measure important details.

Nasa will offer updates on the next dress rehearsal test on Monday.

Chinese astronauts return to Earth after six months in space - in pictures

  • This screen grab made from a video released by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows, left to right, Chinese astronauts Wang Yaping, Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu inside the return capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft. AFP
    This screen grab made from a video released by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV shows, left to right, Chinese astronauts Wang Yaping, Zhai Zhigang and Ye Guangfu inside the return capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft. AFP
  • The capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft prepares to land in Inner Mongolia, China. AFP
    The capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft prepares to land in Inner Mongolia, China. AFP
  • The capsule touches down on Earth. AFP
    The capsule touches down on Earth. AFP
  • The capsule and the three Chinese astronauts it was carrying safely land. AFP
    The capsule and the three Chinese astronauts it was carrying safely land. AFP
  • The capsule at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia. AP
    The capsule at the Dongfeng landing site in Inner Mongolia. AP
  • Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang waves atop the capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft. AFP
    Chinese astronaut Zhai Zhigang waves atop the capsule of the Shenzhou-13 spacecraft. AFP
  • Chinese astronaut Ye Guangfu sits outside the capsule after six months aboard China's newest space station in the longest crewed mission to date for its ambitious space programme. AP
    Chinese astronaut Ye Guangfu sits outside the capsule after six months aboard China's newest space station in the longest crewed mission to date for its ambitious space programme. AP
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor

Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission 10-speed automatic

Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm

Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km

PROFILE OF HALAN

Started: November 2017

Founders: Mounir Nakhla, Ahmed Mohsen and Mohamed Aboulnaga

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport and logistics

Size: 150 employees

Investment: approximately $8 million

Investors include: Singapore’s Battery Road Digital Holdings, Egypt’s Algebra Ventures, Uber co-founder and former CTO Oscar Salazar

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20NOTHING%20PHONE%20(2a)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206.7%E2%80%9D%20flexible%20Amoled%2C%202412%20x%201080%2C%20394ppi%2C%20120Hz%2C%20Corning%20Gorilla%20Glass%205%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MediaTek%20Dimensity%207200%20Pro%2C%204nm%2C%20octa-core%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F12GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2014%2C%20Nothing%20OS%202.5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2050MP%20main%2C%20f%2F1.88%20%2B%2050MP%20ultra-wide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3B%20OIS%2C%20EIS%2C%20auto-focus%2C%20ultra%20XDR%2C%20night%20mode%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%20video%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%20%40%2030fps%2C%20full-HD%20%40%2060fps%3B%20slo-mo%20full-HD%20at%20120fps%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2032MP%20wide%2C%20f%2F2.2%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205000mAh%3B%2050%25%20in%2030%20mins%20w%2F%2045w%20charger%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%2C%20NFC%20(Google%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBiometrics%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Fingerprint%2C%20face%20unlock%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDurability%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20IP54%2C%20limited%20protection%20from%20water%2Fdust%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual-nano%20SIM%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Black%2C%20milk%2C%20white%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nothing%20Phone%20(2a)%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%2C%20pre-applied%20screen%20protector%2C%20SIM%20tray%20ejector%20tool%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%20(UAE)%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh1%2C199%20(8GB%2F128GB)%20%2F%20Dh1%2C399%20(12GB%2F256GB)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

Election pledges on migration

CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections" 

SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom" 

Updated: April 17, 2022, 6:29 AM