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NASA Waves Off Upcoming Artemis I Moon Rocket Launch, Prepares for Rollback

NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out to Launch Complex 39B for the first time on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Credit: NASA/Keegan Barber

NASAEstablished in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Its vision is "To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity." Its core values are "safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion."” data-gt-translate-attributes=”[{“attribute”:”data-cmtooltip”, “format”:”html”}]”>NASA is forgoing an Artemis I launch opportunity on Tuesday, September 27, and preparing for rollback, while continuing to watch the weather forecast associated with Tropical Storm Ian.

During a meeting this morning, September 24, teams decided to stand down on preparing for the Tuesday launch date to allow them to configure systems for rolling back the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). However, engineers deferred a final decision about the roll to Sunday, September 25, to allow for additional data gathering and analysis. If Artemis I managers elect to roll back the rocket to the VAB, it would begin late Sunday night or early Monday morning.

Tropical Storm Ian NOAA

Tropical Storm Ian. This graphic shows probabilities of sustained (1-minute average) surface wind speeds equal to or exceeding 34 kt (39 mph). This wind speed probability graphic is based on the official National Hurricane Center (NHC) track, intensity, and wind radii forecasts, and on NHC forecast error statistics for those forecast variables during recent years. It provides cumulative probabilities that wind speeds of at least 39 mph will occur during cumulative time periods at each specific point on the map. Credit: NOAA

NASA is taking a step-wise approach to its decision-making process to allow the agency to protect its employees by completing a safe roll in time for them to address the needs of their families while also protecting for the option to press ahead with another launch opportunity in the current window if weather predictions improve.

The agency is grateful to its partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), United State Space Force, and the National Hurricane Center (NHC) for providing the highest quality products to protect our nation’s flight test that will pave the way to return humanity to the Moon. 

Source: SciTechDaily