NASA aims for Tuesday launch of oft-delayed Space Launch System rocket, but forecasters are 80% no-go.
NASA is pressing ahead toward another attempt to launch the Artemis 1 moon rocket on its leak-delayed maiden flight Tuesday while closely monitoring the track of a potential hurricane that could bring high winds and heavy rain to the Florida Space Coast, officials said Friday.
But the Space Launch System rocket's road to launch has been rocky, and now the weather threatens additional delay. But if the forecast worsens, engineers could haul the SLS back to the protection of the Vehicle Assembly Building with about three days notice. That's a last resort, a move that likely would delay the rocket's maiden flight by several more weeks.
"We're good at the pad for winds up to 74 peak knots," Bolger said."And for rollback, we're looking for a forecast of sustained winds less than 40 knots. We'll be keeping a close eye on it. More information is better, and I think in next 24 hours or so, hopefully we'll get good news and we'll stick with our plan A."