🚀🔁 Hold onto your space helmets! NASA’s Artemis II wet dress rehearsal has hit a weather snag, pushing back their grand return to the Moon. This critical trial run, a complete mock-up of launch day, was set to roll but was halted in its tracks by an unusual cold snap and gusty winds sweeping through Florida.
Originally eyeing 6th and 7th February for lift-off possibilities, the weather has now pushed any date to at least the 8th, with a day-for-day delay expected. This delay affects the mission featuring the first crewed flight to the Moon’s far side since 1972. The team, including astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, are still grounded and in quarantine in Houston as the countdown holds.
The plan? A full simulation involving fuel loading and bringing the countdown to the brink of ignition. The Artemis II moon rocket stands ready at Kennedy Space Center’s launch pad, with eyes now on improved conditions around 9 p.m. EST, February 2nd, when the simulated launch window opens.
NASA remains vigilant, monitoring the skies and tracking temperatures, all while keeping the spacecraft and rocket in tip-top shape for when the weather decides to play nice. In the meantime, rocket fans can keep their eyes on NASA’s live stream for all the behind-the-scenes action, plus updates via their feeds.
Keep watching the skies! 🌌🛰️ #ArtemisII #NASA #CountdownToTheMoon