BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA was forced to scrub its launch of the Artemis I uncrewed flight test Monday morning. Read live updates below:
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8:35 a.m. update:
NASA has announced a scrub of the launch of Artemis 1 on Monday.
The launch of #Artemis I is no longer happening today as teams work through an issue with an engine bleed. Teams will continue to gather data, and we will keep you posted on the timing of the next launch attempt. https://t.co/tQ0lp6Ruhv pic.twitter.com/u6Uiim2mom
— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022
Crews will keep the rocket in its current formation as they look over technical issues.
Read: NASA’s next moonshot: What you should know about the Artemis lunar program
NASA says an opportunity for the next launch attempt will be at 12:48 p.m. Friday.
8:20 a.m. update:
NASA is currently in an unplanned hold due to issues with Engine #3 on the SLS rocket.
Crews are still discussing plans for fixing the issues and moving forward.
#Artemis I update: Launch is currently in an unplanned hold as the team works on an issue with engine number 3 on the @NASA_SLS core stage. Operations commentary continues at https://t.co/z1RgZwQkWS https://t.co/mFyoeRMC6q
— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022
A previous concern over a potential “crack” in the tank now appears to be a crack in the foam that formed on the outside of the tank.
7:40 a.m. update:
The countdown clock has been stopped at T-40 minutes as engineers work to address two technical issues.
The countdown clock is on a hold at T-40 minutes. The hydrogen team of the @NASA_SLS rocket is discussing plans with the #Artemis I launch director. Operational commentary continues at https://t.co/z1RgZwQkWS. pic.twitter.com/5J6rHVCe44
— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022
The hydrogen team of the SLS rocket is discussing plans with the Artemis I launch director.
7:15 a.m. update:
Thousands of sightseers are setup and ready to watch NASA’s launch of Artemis I.
1000s Sightseers are setup and ready to go. @NASA’s #Artemis1 is set to launch at 8:33a if the weather holds and there are no technical or mechanical issues. Watch it live on https://t.co/vrJR7J6sOY or @wftv’s #TV27 https://t.co/56VcM3dNJ6 pic.twitter.com/zxUl1mtOvR
— Q McCray (@QMcCrayWFTV) August 29, 2022
The launch is window is still set to open at 8:33 a.m. as crew are still looking over some technical issues.
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Vehicle traffic is now closed on the Max Brewer Bridge in Titusville to allow for people to gather for the launch.
6:30 a.m. update:
NASA is currently working on two issues including an engine that isn’t conditioning properly and an apparent crack on an inner tank.
Photos: NASA set for historic launch of SLS rocket for Artemis I mission to the moon
Teams have given a “go” for liquid oxygen loading into propulsion stage of NASA’s Orion spacecraft atop the SLS rocket.
Liquid hydrogen replenish is closed and now in revert to troubleshoot the bleed on engine number 3. Teams are working to increase pressure in the bleed on engine 3 to continue conditioning the four RS-25 engines on @NASA_SLS for launch. https://t.co/wEUPRpb8q2
— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022
Officials said crews are currently in a planned liquid hydrogen engine “bleed test.”
6:05 a.m. update:
A crash has been reported on Highway 407 northeast of State Route 528 and southwest of I-95.
Traffic in the area was already congested with drivers looking to view the launch.
@NASAArtermis Traffic Update: 5:27AM Crash reported on Highway 407 northeast of SR528 and southwest of I-95.
— Brevard EOC (@BrevardEOC) August 29, 2022
5:45 a.m. update:
NASA has completed fueling the core stages of its SLS rocket with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
Fueling of the upper stage of the rocket is ongoing.
Shout out to our amazing engineering team (and smiling photographer Sid) for their work getting us ready for launch time. They've been out here for days getting our mobile studio ready to go. @WFTV pic.twitter.com/SmdIekABAR
— Nick Papantonis WFTV (@NPapantonisWFTV) August 29, 2022
Traffic is building in several areas of Brevard County as people fill the roads near the Kennedy Space Center to see the launch.
Watch: Space Coast drivers should expect traffic issues during launch of Artemis 1 at KSC
The Brevard County Emergency Operations Center has activated its launch operations support team.
5 a.m. update:
NASA crews are reporting the SLS rocket’s liquid oxygen tank is now 75% filled and its liquid hydrogen is 48% filled.
Officials said both liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen are currently in “fast fill.”
The liquid oxygen tank is now 75% filled. Liquid hydrogen is at 48%. Both liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen are currently in fast fill. Teams are monitoring closely.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) August 29, 2022
NASA said crews found a spike in the amount of hydrogen that is allowed to leak when they switched from slow fill to fast fill.
Officials said the leak is at an acceptable level now.
4:15 a.m. update
This is not your average Monday! We are now just over four hours from liftoff, when Artemis I will make history and begin its journey on a return to the moon.
Read: Artemis I: 9 things to know about NASA’s mission to return humans to the moon
WFTV will bring you team coverage of the mission on-air and online all day.
Channel 9′s Melonie Holt and Q McCray are live on the Space Coast this morning.
The launch remains scheduled for 8:33 a.m., with a two hour window in case of any delays.
We’ve been watching all morning as NASA’s SLS rocket continues to fuel up on the launch pad.
Overnight, crews worked to manage a fuel leak.
Teams are assessing LH2 propellant loading on the @NASA_SLS rocket for the #Artemis I mission. Stay tuned for updates. https://t.co/u3mjNzC8Hu
— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022
There’s a lot on the line this morning. The launch is just step one.
Once the rocket goes up, it will spend 42 days in space.
Read: Spectators camp out for historic Artemis I launch
1000s of sightseers are already lined up on our #spacecoast to watch @NASA’s #Artemis1 blastoff. It’s window to liftoff begins at 8:33am Monday. Watch @WFTV Channel 9 for more. pic.twitter.com/6vhBz4p0y5
— Q McCray (@QMcCrayWFTV) August 29, 2022
It will travel 1.3 million miles around the moon before reentering the Earth’s orbit at more than 24,000 miles per hour.
If today’s launch goes as planned, that reentry and splashdown will happen on October 10th.
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