Artemis moon mission: News & Updates

It's launch week in Florida for NASA's mega moon rocket, the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft, as the space agency tries for the third time to complete the Artemis 1 test flight.

Heads up, space fans – Jetty Park Beach and Campground will not be open to view the launch of NASA's Artemis I mission.

While the Artemis I rocket suffered some minor damage while on the launch pad during Hurricane Nicole, NASA said Friday some of that damage had already been repaired – or will be repaired – and should not impact next week's planned launch at Florida's Kennedy Space Center.

Even before making landfall, Hurricane Nicole produced nearly 90-mph wind gusts on Florida's Space Coast, where NASA's Space Launch System rocket is on the launchpad awaiting its launch to the moon.

NASA is pushing the target launch date and time for its Artemis 1 mission to Wednesday, Nov. 16, with a two-hour window that opens at 1:04 a.m. EST. If needed, NASA has a backup launch opportunity on Saturday, Nov. 19.

NASA’s Kennedy Space Center announced Monday it plans to keep its Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft sitting on the launch pad as Nicole rolls through.

NASA teams are preparing to move the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launchpad for another try at conducting the Artemis 1 test flight around the moon.

The heat shield for NASA's Artemis I rocket was delivered though NASA's Super Guppy on Wednesday. 

As NASA eyes November as the next opportunity to launch its Artemis I mission to the moon from Kennedy Space Center in Florida – the first in a series of missions – NASA said it would conduct analog missions – simulated missions -- in Arizona to practice moonwalks, and to test the capabilities of its rovers.

NASA officials are targeting November for its next attempt to launch the Artemis I rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida to the moon.

NASA said the flight hardware and facilities housing Artemis I are in good shape following Hurricane Ian's close brush with Kennedy Space Center on Thursday.

NASA’s moon rocket returned to the safety of its hangar Tuesday as Hurricane Ian approached Florida. Early Thursday morning, the National Hurricane Center adjusted the path for Hurricane Ian, shifting the storm just to the north of Kennedy Space Center. The hurricane was expected to be downgraded to a strong tropical storm before emerging over the Atlantic Ocean.

The Artemis I Space Launch System Rocket will be pulled down from the launch pad and rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) Monday night due to Hurricane Ian, NASA said. The massive rocket will begin the rollback process Monday night at 11 p.m., further delaying the anticipated mission.

NASA officials have called off the launch of its Artemis l moon rocket as Tropical Storm Ian approaches Florida. 

NASA said its team encountered a hydrogen leak during the tanking test for the Artemis I rocket Wednesday morning. The leak was found at the quick disconnect between the tail service mast umbilical and the rocket, officials said in a tweet. 

Alright space fans: NASA said late Monday that it is targeting Tuesday, Sept. 27 for its next launch attempt of the Artemis I mission to the Moon. A backup date is planned for Oct. 2, which is under review.

Engineers have replaced the seals associated with the hydrogen leak on the Artemis I mission and will continue to inspect them all weekend, according to NASA. Leaks were the reason last weekend’s test launch was scrubbed.

NASA Artemis I teams have replaced seals on the Space Launch System rocket’s core stage associated with the liquid hydrogen leak detected during the Sept. 3 launch attempt.