NASA plans rollout of Artemis I SLS rocket to Launch Pad 39B on Friday

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — NASA plans to roll out its Artemis I SLS rocket Friday at 12:01 a.m.

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This will be the second rollout of the Artemis I SLS rocket. The first two launch attempts, in August and September, were scrubbed after fueling and mechanical issues.

NASA was forced to roll back the rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building when Hurricane Ian was headed to Florida.

Read: Artemis: What you need to know

Artemis I SLS rocket is targeted to launch Monday, Nov. 14. The launch window opens at 12:07 a.m. and will last 69 minutes.

NASA has two additional launch opportunities — Wednesday, Nov. 16, at 1:04 a.m. and Saturday, Nov. 19, at 1:45 a.m. Both of those launch windows will last two hours.

Read: Artemis I: 9 things to know about NASA’s mission to return humans to the moon

If the launch is successful, the 25-and-a-half-day mission will send the Orion spacecraft around the moon and back to Earth, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 9.

NASA will hold a press conference on Thursday at noon to provide an update on the uncrewed mission.

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Artemis I Rollout CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - AUGUST 17: In this handout image provided by NASA, NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen atop a mobile launcher as it rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center on August 17, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. NASA's Artemis I mission is the first integrated test of the agency's deep space exploration systems, which includes the Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and supporting ground systems. Launch of the uncrewed flight test is targeted for no earlier than August 29. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)

If the launch is successful, the 25-and-a-half-day mission will send the Orion spacecraft around the moon and back to Earth, with splashdown expected in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 9.

NASA will hold a press conference on Thursday at noon to provide an update on the uncrewed mission.

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