Despite “very minor damage” sustained during Hurricane Nicole, NASA has announced that the Space Launch System rocket will still be launched for the Artemis I mission this week.
The rocket was on the launchpad at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center when the hurricane hit last week, as rolling it back inside was deemed too dangerous. The rocket was returned to its building during a previous launch attempt that was thwarted by Hurricane Ian, but this time it was decided it would be safer left where it was.
NASA teams have now checked the rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and the mobile launcher to ensure that they are still ready for launch on Wednesday, November 16, and the agency has announced that the launch will go ahead.
“Space Launch System engineers have performed detailed analysis to confirm the sustained and peak winds experienced during the storm have no adverse effect on the structural strength of the rocket,” NASA wrote in an update. “While varying peak winds were measured by sensors at different heights at the pad, all measurements remained below 75% of SLS design limits, which also are intentionally conservative. Data from testing with actual hardware during the structural test series and modal testing, as well as other evaluations and modeling, provide confidence there is margin beyond the design ratings.”
There were fears that the high winds would cause damage, but NASA says the problems are minor, such as loose caulk and weather coverings. A hard cover that had been placed over the Orion spacecraft’s emergency ejection system to protect it during the hurricane has been removed, and the window will be inspected.
The teams are also powering on the rocket systems as part of the launch preparations to ensure that everything works as expected, with testing expected to last until Saturday, November 12. Today , Sunday, November 13, there will be a review of launch
