Space Force Approves Launch of NASA’s Megarocket, however Bad Weather Looms

We’ve received some excellent news and a few unhealthy information. Space Force has granted NASA’s request for an extension to launch the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket—yay—however a tropical storm is brewing within the Atlantic, which may threaten its scheduled launch on Tuesday, September 27.

NASA lastly received the Space Force waiver it was in search of, as John Blevins, SLS chief engineer, advised reporters earlier this afternoon. The house company can now proceed with a launch on both September 27 or October 2. This shall be NASA’s third try and launch the rocket and the Artemis 1 mission, during which an uncrewed Orion capsule will journey to the Moon and again.

But on the identical day the nation’s house company received this excellent news, the nation’s climate company, NOAA, issued warnings about Tropical Depression Nine, which is presently brewing within the Gulf of Mexico and threatening the Florida peninsula. Tom Whitmeyer, deputy affiliate administrator for frequent exploration programs growth at NASA, stated they’ll decide about whether or not to postpone the launch and ship the rocket again to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on Saturday morning or Saturday afternoon on the newest.

Following the second failed try and launch the Space Launch System earlier this month, NASA seemed to September 27 as the subsequent potential day to ship the mega Moon rocket to house. But as NASA had exceeded its permitted time allowance, and never eager to roll the 321-foot-tall (98-meter) rocket again to the VAB, the house company requested the Eastern Range for an extension. The Range, a department of the U.S. Space Force, oversees launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral, and NASA can not fly with out its permission.

The Eastern Range’s concern had to do with the rocket’s flight termination system batteries, which need to be tested and recharged at regular intervals. This can’t be done at the launch pad. The abort system is designed to destroy the rocket mid-flight should it suddenly veer off course and threaten populated areas. Space Force analyzed the information provided to it by NASA and concluded that the rocket is safe for launch, Blevins explained.

During today’s press briefing, reporters repeatedly asked NASA officials about the looming storm, as they seemed surprisingly nonchalant about the whole thing. Said Whitmeyer: “It is not even a named storm—it’s a tropical depression.” It was a curious remark to make, with the vulnerable SLS currently standing on Launch Pad 39B and as projections show winds from the “unnamed storm” potentially reaching Kennedy Space Center on Monday evening or early Tuesday morning. NASA, should it choose to move SLS back to the VAB, will have to get moving, as the process takes about two days.

The officials said SLS can withstand 85-mile-per-hour (137-kilometer-per-hour) wind gusts at the pad, while rollback can withstand sustained winds reaching 46 mph (74 kph). A meeting will be held tonight at 5:00 p.m. ET to review the current situation.

It’s a real shame that Tropical Storm Nine had to appear right now. A cryogenic tanking test held earlier this week went well, with NASA achieving all main objectives. The test was done to confirm a repaired hydrogen leak, in which two seals were replaced at the quick disconnect fitting between the liquid hydrogen fuel line and the core stage. The hydrogen leak happened during the second failed attempt to launch the rocket, on September 3. The first test, on August 29, was scrubbed due to erroneous engine temperature readings.

SLS is a key component of NASA’s Artemis program, which seeks a sustained return to the Moon. The $50 billion rocket has been beset with delays and budget overruns and is currently being haunted by hydrogen leaks. The looming storm could potentially push back the inaugural launch even further, with the next launch phase running from October 17 to 31.

More: NASA Refines Its Strategy for Getting Humans to Mars.