The Artemis I mission It is one of the projects that has given NASA scientists the biggest headaches. The US space agency has been trying to launch the rocket since August. The year is coming to an end and they have not been able to finalize the launch.
They had a schedule for this Monday, November 7. What happened? A new delay. Why? Now it is the tropical storm Nicole that stalks different areas of Florida, which prevents workers from being at the locations of the Kennedy Space Center to execute the launch.
In an official statement, NASA reports that the space center is in HURCON III mode. What does that mean? that the engineers, astronomers and employees of the space agency initiated the protocol against hurricanes.
At the moment, the rocket that will travel to the orbit of the Moon, the Space Launch System (SLS) and the Orion spacecraft remain secured on the launch pad. They explain that the device meets the conditions to face the climate that is approaching in this locality of the state of the Florida, in the United States.
“The SLS rocket is designed to withstand 85 mph (74.4 knots) winds at the 60-foot level with structural clearance. Current forecasts predict that the greatest risks on the platform are high winds that are not expected to exceed the SLS design. The rocket is designed to withstand heavy rain on the launch pad and the spacecraft’s hatches have been secured to prevent water intrusion.” outlined in a statement.
By when then, Artemis I?
In principle, NASA expects the launch to finally take place on Wednesday, November 16. However, with the precedent that this mission has, nothing can be assured.
The Artemis I mission has the objective of traveling to the orbit of the Moon without a crew. It will do so with a payload and a couple of mannequins that will simulate the human presence on the spacecraft. Fuel leaks, a human hair and weather conditions have kept this mission on Earth.