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Fifty years after the Apollo missions and the first steps of Man on the Moon, NASA and the European Space Agency are launching Artemis. This mission should ultimately establish a lasting human presence on the satellite, with the construction of a space station in orbit. After an aborted attempt five days ago, the Artemis mission should take off this Saturday, September 3, with a two-hour firing window, from 2:17 p.m. local time, 6:17 p.m. universal time.
The first attempt was on August 29. NASA has aborted the launch of the Orion rocket, which was to take off from Cape Canaveral, Florida. In question, cooling problems on one of the engines.
The flaw has been repaired, but that does not mean that the launch will take place this Saturday, September 3. This time, it is the weather forecasts that cast doubt.
There is a chance of rain and thunderstorms of about 60%. The Moon may have to wait a little longer. The date of September 5 has been mentioned by the space agencies if the rocket does not leave this Saturday.
Specialists are used to the hazards that precede rocket take-off, and they remain optimistic as the stakes of the Artemis I mission are high.
This 42-day unmanned flight is to propel the world’s most powerful rocket around the satellite to verify that the vehicle is safe for future astronauts.
The real return of men, and even women, to the Moon is scheduled for 2025 at the earliest.
It’s a bit crazy to spend the night here. We wonder why we do this! No, but it’s a test flight to the Moon to send astronauts there in 2024. And I think it’s pretty cool to go to the Moon
Launch of the Artemis I rocket: Report from Cape Canaveral
►To listen: Launch of the Artemis mission: “It’s a step towards the manned exploration of Mars”