UPDATE #2 – Sept. 26th: NASA has made the decision to move the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion capsule stack back into the Vehicle Assembly Building.
This means that the backup October 2nd launch date for Artemis I is now a no-go.
There might be a launch attempt at the end of October but a launch in November is also a possibility.
UPDATE #1 – Sept. 26th: NASA officials announced Sunday evening that no decision had been reached as to whether the Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion capsule stack will need to head back to the safety of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
The most pressing concern on the minds of many is the estimated track of Tropical Storm Ian, which most recent models suggest will proceed up the Gulf of Mexico, off the western coast of Florida. While that path would likely result in minimal impact to the Space Coast and Cape Canaveral, there is great consideration being made for the unpredictable aspects of such weather systems. In 2004, Hurricane Charley caused great damage and surprised many as a result of a swift change in track – one which went against estimated models.
The Artemis I launch seems to be jinxed.
While the previous two launch attempts were scrubbed due to technical issues, the scheduled third launch attempt for Tuesday, September 27th has been aborted due to the weather.
The problem is Tropical Storm Ian which could become a major hurricane.
Fiona was a recent hurricane that just skirted the US East coast (landing in Nova Scotia in Canada) but it looks like Ian will enter the Gulf of Mexico and make landfall somewhere in the states there (Florida, Georgia, Alabama).
Currently churning in the Caribbean, tropical storm Ian is expected to become a hurricane by Monday and slam into Florida’s Gulf coast by Thursday.
The entire state, however, is in the cone showing the probable path of the storm’s center, including NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Given the forecast uncertainties, NASA decided on Saturday (September 24th) not to go ahead with Tuesday’s scheduled Artemis I launch.
They are even looking at preparing the rocket and Orion capsule assembly for a possible return to its hangar.
A final decision will be made today (Sunday, September 25th) on whether that will happen or not.
If the rocket remains at the pad, NASA could try for the backup October 2nd launch date, the last opportunity before a two-week blackout period.
But a rollback to the hangar late on Sunday or early on Monday would likely mean a lengthy delay for the test flight, possibly pushing it into November.
