NASA is now concentrating on Monday, November 14, for the maiden launch of its next-generation Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

Technical issues brought about the area company to name off launch makes an attempt in late August and early September, whereas Hurricane Ian disrupted plans for a possible launch effort late final month, culminating within the staff rolling the rocket to shelter to guard it from the sturdy winds.

NASA mentioned on Wednesday {that a} 69-minute launch window opens at 12:07 a.m. ET on November 14.

“Inspections and analyses over the previous week have confirmed minimal work is required to prepare the rocket and spacecraft to roll out to Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida following the roll-back due to Hurricane Ian,” NASA mentioned in a launch.

It added: “Teams will perform standard maintenance to repair minor damage to the foam and cork on the thermal protection system and recharge or replace batteries on the rocket, several secondary payloads, and the flight termination system.”

The present plan is to roll the SLS rocket from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad as early as Friday, November 4.

The extremely anticipated Artemis I take a look at flight will see essentially the most highly effective rocket NASA has ever constructed propel an uncrewed Orion spacecraft towards the moon for a fly-by of the lunar floor. If it will get away on November 14, the mission would final about three-and-a-half weeks, ending with splashdown within the Pacific Ocean on December 9.

If Artemis I is deemed successful, Artemis II will take the identical path however with astronauts on board. Artemis III, which may happen as early as 2025, will endeavor to place the primary girl and first particular person of shade on the lunar floor in what can even be the primary astronaut touchdown for the reason that remaining Apollo mission in 1972.

NASA mentioned that if it’s unable to launch the SLS rocket on November 14, there are back-up launch alternatives for Wednesday, November 16, at 1:04 a.m. ET, and Saturday, November 19, at 1:45 a.m. ET, each of which supply two-hour launch home windows.

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