The Washington PostThe Washington Post

Timing of NASA's moon launch may depend on emergency detonation system

By Christian Davenport

07 Sep 2022 · 4 min read

Editor's Note

The Space Launch System's termination system batteries need to be recharged often to ensure the detonation system, a safety mechanism to destroy a rocket if it goes off path, works fine.

Like all big rockets, NASA's Space Launch System is outfitted with powerful engines and thousands of gallons of highly combustible propellants capable of lifting a booster the size of a tall building off the Earth and traveling many times the speed of sound out of the atmosphere.

It also carries a bomb.

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