Artemis I: Round 3
NASA’s engineers have completed the necessary repairs to the space agency’s new Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Engineers found the pesky leaky fuel line seal and replaced it. It was this leaky seal that was responsible for the cancellation of the second launch attempt on 3 September. The crew at Kennedy Launch Center attempted to troubleshoot and fix the problem three times on the day but to no avail. While they had the rocket off the launch pad, engineers also replaced another seal on the hydrogen “bleed-line” responsible for cooling the engines before ignition. That faulty seal was responsible for the cancellation of the first launch attempt on 29 August.
With the new seals, there are a few more tests to be run. Engineers will load the SLS with 3.3 million litres of liquid hydrogen and oxygen to see if the seals hold. If that goes according to plan before 17 September, as NASA anticipates, then we could see the third launch attempt taking place as early as 27 September.
Source: Engadget
Ubisoft+ is free until 10 October
On Saturday, Ubisoft held its annual Ubisoft Forward showcase. Among the usual updates and new game announcements, including a few new Assassin’s Creed titles, Ubisoft also announced a promotion for Ubisoft+. If you don’t feel like paying for Ubisoft games, the service is free until 10 October 2022. You’ll still have to fill in your card details when signing up so you’d better set a reminder to avoid being automatically charged. Ubi says it will send you a reminder before the trial expires but set your own as well.
Ubisoft+ is Ubi’s answer to Microsoft’s Game Pass. Usually, interested parties pay a monthly subscription fee of €15 (R262) and get access to Ubisoft’s entire library of “over 100 games” to download and play. Unfortunately, Ubisoft+ is only available to South Africans on PC. In other countries, users can opt for the more expensive multi-access option that uses Google Stadia to stream games. But, as Google Stadia isn’t available in SA, we only have the one option. If you’ve been on the fence about Ubisoft+, now is as good a time as any to try it out.
There’s a new rocket kid on the block
NASA and SpaceX aren’t the only ones with space ambitions. And we aren’t talking about Virgin Galactic’s “space” flights. Firefly Aerospace is a private American aerospace startup that has plans to reach space as well. The company will have another go at launching its Firefly Alpha expendable rocket and its satellite payload from the Vandenberg Space Force Base tonight (Monday, 12 September) at midnight. You know, just before Tuesday.
Originally planned for 15h00 PDT on Sunday 11 September, this second attempt by the company to reach the heavens has already been pushed back once. Engineers detected a “drop in stage two helium supply pressure” moments before takeoff. The launch was immediately aborted.
This is only the second time Firefly has a rocket ready and waiting to launch. The first attempt got off the launch pad but 2 minutes and 30 seconds into its flight, the rocket suffered an ‘anomaly’ and turned into a fireball. Luckily no injuries were reported. The launch will be live streamed on YouTube by Firefly’s streaming partner, Everyday Astronaut. Let’s hope the third attempt of the second launch doesn’t involve any fire. Except that of the rockets, of course.
Source: Space.com
Marvel World of Heros will let you become one
Marvel and Niantic, developers of Pokémon Go, have teamed up for the company’s next big augmented reality game, Marvel World of Heroes. This will be the first time players can create their very own superheroes in a legally licensed Marvel game. Not just cosmetically, either. You’ll be able to decide on their back story as well.
You and your hero will be responsible for keeping your surrounding streets safe from (virtual) baddies and face off against supervillains from the far reaches of the galaxy (presumably). Players can team up with their actual friends or choose one or more from Marvel’s lengthy collection of virtual superhero compadres like Spider-Man or Wolverine.
Pre-registration is open on the Marvel World of Heros website. Although you might find you have to wait a little. Niantic will roll the game out next year in a ‘soft launch’ in a few select countries (it doesn’t say which) before the rest of the world gets to join in on the action.
Source: Engadget
