NASA has just revealed a new launch date for its Artemis I Moon rocket mission.
The US space agency had to cancel yesterday’s highly anticipated launch of its most powerful rocket ever after it faced several issues.
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Monday’s launch was canceled due to an engine problem that arose during fueling and also bad weather.
Nasa just revealed its new plan is to launch its Artemis I mission on September 3.
After Monday’s failed launch, Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson said: “We don’t launch until it’s right.”
Nasa scientists have agreed that the new September 3 launch date is the right time to try again.
Nelson has stressed the importance of getting this unmanned test right and not launching until it is.
However, Nasa also revealed during a press conference that bad weather could still cancel the launch on September 3.
If the new September 3 launch date doesn’t happen, Nasa is aiming for Monday, September 5.
What is Artemis I?
The first part of the mission to put humans back on the Moon is called Artemis I and it was supposed to launch from Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center in Flordia on Monday, August 29.
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However, the launch date had to be pushed back due to a fuelling error.
When it does launch, the mission will involve an up to 42-day tour around the Moon and back.
However, Nasa could cut short the mission if something goes wrong.
The flight will be testing out hardware so that Nasa can land the first woman and the first person of color on the Moon by 2025.
That crewed mission is being referred to as Artemis III and a lot has to happen before it can take place.
Artemis I isn’t a crewed mission but it needs to loop around the Moon to test three key components.
These are Nasa’s Space Launch System (SLS), its Orion spacecraft, and the European Service Module (ESM).
The Orion spacecraft and the ESM should get within 62 miles of the lunar surface and then travel 40,000 miles beyond this.
Once looping around the dark side of the Moon, the rocket should land in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.
Nasa completed a “wet dress rehearsal” of the SLS back in March and has changed the proposed launch date several times already.
How can I watch Artemis I launch?
You’ll be able to watch the Artemis I launch live from Nasa’s website as it takes off from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral.
