NASA SLS for Artemis I: launch postponed to November 16 due to storm Nicole

When everything seemed to be ready to begin preparations for the launch attempt of NASA SLS for Artemis Ion November 14, the weather conditions changed due to the tropical storm Nicole which has approached the coasts of Florida and which is also affecting the area of Kennedy Space Center. We recall that previously the large space rocket was brought back inside the assembly building (VAB) due to Hurricane Ian.

This time the storm may not be as strong and therefore did not require the return to the VAB (an operation which takes time and which is preferable to perform as few times as possible due to the stresses it entails). Despite everything the NASA has already decided that it will no longer be able to guarantee the launch window on November 14 which would open at 6:07 am (Italian time). This resulted in postponing the launch to the next launch window which is indicated for the November 16.

Artemis I’s NASA SLS will face storm Nicole ahead of launch

In the’last press release the US space agency reads as with the approach (at the time of publication) of the tropical storm Nicole had to postpone the launch to November 16. The motivation is linked not only to the inability to launch the big space rocket with this weather but also because the employees of the Kennedy Space Center they returned to their homes to secure them (together with their families).

After the storm has passed, potential damage to the structures will need to be checked and operations will need to be reorganized for the new launch window. The stadium was declared yesterday HURCON III therefore putting in place all those procedures to ensure the safety of hardware and personnel.

The weather conditions a few hours ago at the KSC (source)

The press release also states that “Based on forecasted weather conditions and options to turn back before the storm, the agency determined on Sunday evening that the safest option for the launch hardware was to keep the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and spacecraft. Orion safe on the pad “. NASA SLS and the structures can withstand winds of up to 138 km / h and currently it does not seem that strong ones will be produced.

The FTS (Flight Termination System) located both on the main stage and on the two boosters has been further protected in order to avoid accidental activations or possible future failures. The launch from NASA SLS for the Artemis I mission it is therefore scheduled for November 16th at 7:04 am (Italian time) with a window of 120 minutes. The return of the Orion capsule, with these timelines, it is scheduled for 11 December. Another date will be that of November 19th.

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