T-minus and holding; NASA scrubs launch of Artemis I

KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. — Fuel leaks have forced NASA to scrub the launch of Artemis I this morning.

NASA said the earliest availability for a launch was Friday afternoon.

Artemis I will be the first in a series of increasingly complex missions to build a long-term human presence at the Moon for decades to come.

The primary goals for Artemis I are to demonstrate Orion’s systems in a spaceflight environment and ensure a safe re-entry, descent, splashdown, and recovery prior to the first flight with crew on Artemis II.

To watch the livestream, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=21X5lGlDOfg

Mission Facts:

• Launch date: Sept. 1
• Mission Duration: 42 days, 3 hours, 20 minutes
• Destination: distant retrograde orbit around the Moon
• Total mission miles: approximately 1.3 million miles
• Targeted splashdown site: Pacific Ocean, off the coast of San Diego
• Return speed: Up to 25,000 mph