NASA astronaut Stan Love has spoken to The U.S. Sun as the space agency attempts to launch its Artemis 1 rocket this morning.
The Artemis Space Launch System has encountered several problems already but there could be an even bigger issue for humanity if it never launches.
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Love told The U.S. Sun: “It feels like this is the fourth time we’ve gathered the guests for the wedding and maybe the bride will make an appearance.”
Nasa has had several launch attempts of Artemis 1 already and concerns are growing that the rocket may never make it to the Moon.
Love couldn’t confirm whether the rocket will launch this morning.
It will likely miss its original aim of launching at 1:04am ET (6:04am GMT).
When asked how important it is that Nasa launches Artemis 1, Love said: “Eventually we’re going to have to get it launched or we can’t go back to the Moon.
“So it’s pretty important. And, of course, there is political pressure and public pressure to get the thing launched.”
He added: “We’re not going to go until we’re ready”.
Nasa is currently attempting to launch Artemis 1 but the rocket has already faced leaky engine problems and an internet problem that affected one of its radars.
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The engine problem has reportedly been fixed, according to launch control.
Artemis 1 is such an important mission because it’s the trial run before Artemis 2 and Artemis 3.
Artemis 2 aims to take humans around the Moon for the first time in decades.
Artemis 3 aims to make history and put the first woman and the first person of color on the lunar surface.
None of those Artemis missions will be possible without the success of Artemis 1.
