The launch vehicle for the US lunar mission “Artemis I” is still on the launch pad. The depot, the vehicle assembly building, is located approximately 6 kilometers away. The cautious flight there takes about ten hours and begins at night from Monday to Tuesday, according to NASA.
The hurricane is currently still between Jamaica, Cuba, and Mexico. Ian will likely make it to the southern tip of Florida on Tuesday. The tornado should reach the Kennedy Space Center, the historic space base near Cape Canaveral, during Wednesday.
The launch of the moon rocket had been delayed twice before. Initially, it was not possible to connect one of the four rocket engines to the appropriate temperature. Before the second attempt, NASA discovered a leak when the fuel tank was filled with liquid hydrogen. It turned out that the problem could not be solved in time.
The most powerful rocket ever built, the Space Launch System (SLS), was designed for the US lunar program. At the top of this launcher is the new craft that must go to the moon and back, Orion. The rear, which provides power and propulsion, was developed by Europe. The solar panels that generate electricity come from Leiden in the Netherlands.
See also: Artemis 1 has been canceled for technical reasons
