NASA is reportedly passing up the Artemis I launch opportunity on Tuesday, Sept. 27, local time and preparing for its return. In the meantime, it will continue to monitor weather forecasts related to Tropical Storm Ian. At a meeting this morning (Sept. 24), the teams decided to suspend preparations for Tuesday’s launch date so they can configure systems to push the Space Launch System rocket (SLS) and Orion spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
However, engineers have postponed a final decision on the return until Sunday, In order to conduct additional data collection and analysis. If Artemis I managers choose to return the rocket to VAB, work will begin Sunday evening or early Monday morning.
Right now, NASA is taking a step-by-step approach to its decision-making process that allows the agency to protect its employees by completing safety rolls in time to meet their families needs, while also protecting the option to proceed with another launch opportunity during the current window – if weather forecasts improve.
