NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop the mobile launcher at Launch 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency’s deep space exploration systems: the Space Launch System rocket, Orion spacecraft, and supporting ground systems. Credit: NASA/Steve Seipel
Meteorologists with the U.S. Space Force Space Launch Delta 45 forecast a 60% chance of favorable weather conditions for an Artemis I launch attempt during a two-hour window that opens at 2:17 p.m. EDT (11:17 a.m. PDT) on Saturday, September 3. Although rain showers are expected in the area, they are expected to be sporadic during the launch window.
Engineers are implementing plans approved at Tuesday’s mission management team meeting to address issues that arose during a launch attempt on August 29. The mission management team will reconvene on Thursday, September 1 to review data and overall readiness. After that, NASA will hold a status update at 6 p.m. EDT.
The countdown for launch is scheduled to resume Saturday at 4:37 a.m., at the L-9 hour, 40 minutes planned hold in the countdown. This is the point where managers receive a weather briefing and conduct a poll on whether to proceed with propellant loading operations. Because many of the configurations needed for launch are already in place, launch controllers do not need to begin the initial 46-hour, 10-minute countdown again.
On Saturday, live coverage of tanking operations with commentary on NASA TV will begin at 5:45 a.m. EDT. Full launch coverage in English will begin at 12:15 p.m.
Yeppers, NASA will not stop until they sacrifice another dozen men and women to the good ol’buddy network that defines NASA.