Page 119 - Launch Pad News Today

The rocket for the long-delayed mission was exposed to high winds while sitting on the launch pad Thursday as Hurricane Nicole struck Florida.

Hurricane Nicole made landfall on Florida’s east coast just south of Vero Beach in Indian River County overnight, moved through Central Florida this morning as a weakening tropical storm and is on its way to the Gulf Coast, according to the National Hurricane Center.

NASA managers decided earlier this week to leave the 322-foot-tall moon rocket and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B, where it has been since the rollout on Nov. 4.

NASA’s Artemis I program, which has been plagued by delays due to hurricanes and mechanical issues, will attempt to launch Wednesday.

NASA left its $4.1 billion Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis I mission to the moon on the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center to ride out Hurricane Nicole, noting that it could withstand sustained winds of 85 mph at 60 feet high when vertical at Launch Complex 39-B. Hurricane Nicole ended up testing those safety limits.

NASA managers decided earlier this week to leave the 322-foot-tall moon rocket and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B, where it has been since the rollout on Nov. 4.

Tropical Storm Nicole continues to batter Florida where NASAs Artemis 1 moon rocket waits on the launch pad.

NASA managers decided earlier this week to leave the 322-foot-tall moon rocket and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B, where it has been since the rollout on Nov. 4.

NASA managers decided earlier this week to leave the 322-foot-tall moon rocket and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B, where it has been since the rollout on Nov. 4.

NASA managers decided earlier this week to leave the 322-foot-tall moon rocket and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B, where it has been since the rollout on Nov. 4.