NASA planned to conduct its last major pre-launch rocket test this weekend, ahead of the anticipated Artemis II launch that will send a crew of four around the moon — but a Florida cold snap had different plans.
With the massive SLS rocket on the launch pad, NASA was set to run a wet dress rehearsal test, with a simulated liftoff time of approximately 9 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31. But temperatures are forecasted to drop into the 20s before dawn on Sunday, prompting NASA to delay this test.
As a result, NASA is now targeting Monday, Feb. 2 to run the major tanking test. A wet dress rehearsal takes the rocket through launch day procedures, beginning at T-49 hours and proceeding with fueling operations before halting at T-33 seconds. If all checks out, a launch date could be announced shortly afterward.
The launch of Artemis II is now no earlier than Sunday, Feb. 8.
What are Artemis weather rules
NASA’s Artemis II launch weather criteria states the following:
“Do not launch if the temperature at both 132.5 feet and 257.5 feet drops below a defined temperature constraint for 30 consecutive minutes. The temperature constraints range from 38 degrees Fahrenheit to 49 degrees Fahrenheit, depending upon the wind and relative humidity. Higher wind and relative humidity result in a colder temperature constraint.”
NASA officials said on a blog that engineers had been monitoring the cold weather conditions in Florida over the past several days.
“Managers have assessed hardware capabilities against the projected forecast given the rare arctic outbreak affecting the state and decided to change the timeline,” the space agency said. “Teams and preparations at the launch pad remain ready for the wet dress rehearsal. However, adjusting the timeline for the test will position NASA for success during the rehearsal, as the expected weather this weekend would violate launch conditions.”
The crew began quarantine on January 23 at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to prepare for launch. About six days before liftoff, they’ll head to Florida, where on launch they’ll board the Orion spacecraft atop the 322-foot-tall rocket.
The potential Artemis II launch dates are now as follows:
Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA’s Artemis II wet dress rehearsal delayed due to cold weather
Reporting by Brooke Edwards, Florida Today / Florida Today
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