With Looming Hurricane, NASA Reschedules Launch Date For Artemis

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL — NASA said it is closely monitoring Hurricane Nicole and taking measures to protect the Artemis I moon rocket, which is sitting on the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center as the storm approaches Florida's east coast.

Cape Canaveral is now under a voluntary evacuation order.

Over the weekend, NASA officials decided to schedule the launch of the Artemis I mission for Wednesday, Nov. 16, provided it's safe for employees to return to Cape Canaveral and the multi-billion-dollar Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft is undamaged by the hurricane.

See related story: NASA Sets New Launch Dates For Artemis Rocket To Reach The Moon

The rocket system is designed to withstand 85 mph winds and heavy rains on the launch pad.

In preparation for the storm, teams have powered down the Orion spacecraft, and retracted and secured the crew access arm on the mobile launcher.

A launch during a two-hour window that opens at 1:04 a.m. on Nov. 16 would result in a splashdown on Friday, Dec. 11. If needed, NASA has a back-up launch opportunity on Saturday, Nov. 19, and will coordinate with the U.S. Space Force for additional launch opportunities.

NASA said it is getting the latest information on the storm from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Space Force and the National Hurricane Center.