KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. – NASA is pushing back the launch of its Artemis I moon mission to give its crews at Kennedy Space Center more time once Tropical Storm Nicole passes.
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NASA was originally targeting Monday, Nov. 14 at 12:07 a.m. from KSC’s Launch Pad 39B.
However, now NASA will target 1:04 a.m. ET on Wednesday, Nov. 16 for the launch of the Space Launch Systems rocket with the Orion spacecraft on top.
Launch Update: @NASA is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Nicole and is re-targeting a launch for the #Artemis I mission for Wednesday, Nov. 16, pending safe conditions for Kennedy workforce to return, as well as inspections after the storm has passed.https://t.co/JgGAAs9RfJ pic.twitter.com/RGNw6Bk55z
— NASA's Kennedy Space Center (@NASAKennedy) November 8, 2022
A backup launch opportunity will be Saturday, Nov. 19.
NASA says this will give its teams time to tend to their families and homes after Tropical Storm Nicole passes, and also time to inspect the rocket and get back into launch status.
A ride-out crew will be on property in a safe location throughout the storm to monitor conditions, including the flight hardware.
The rocket, meanwhile, will remain on the launch pad through the storm. NASA says it is designed to withstand 85 mph winds at the 60-foot level. Current forecasts say the high winds at the launch pad are not expected to exceed the rocket’s design, and the rocket is designed to handle heavy rain.
As of Wednesday at 11:45 p.m., gusts were recorded at 68 mph at 131 feet on Pad 39B as Nicole closed in on Florida’s coastline.
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