A subtropical storm named Nicole has been brewing in the Atlantic Ocean, east of Florida's Space Coast. Reports say that it could pass through Kennedy Space Center. But, if things turn out well, NASA can launch the moon rocket Artemis 1, on November 14th as planned, according to Space.com.
The weather is still being monitored and based on the current forecast data, it is still safe enough to keep the Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket and Orion, at Launch Pad 39B. They will move the launch for the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, the moment that the storm is deemed too dangerous.
The Weather
NASA is working with the US Space Force and US National Hurricane Center, to keep an eye on the storm. The National Hurricane Center stated there might be a dangerous storm surge, on November 9th, throughout the east coast of Florida.
For most of the Florida peninsula, heavy rainfall is anticipated, with surface winds exceeding 58 mph which could before November 11th. The rainfall will reach Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, which oversees the close Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The possible subtropical storm has put Kennedy Space Center in a Hurricane Condition (HURCON) IV status. This implements checklists for preparations for the storm. It was stated that the agency will continue to prioritize its employees in the Kennedy area, should the storm come.
The Kennedy Space Center is not new to this kind of emergency, seeing as it has happened before with Hurricane Ian. NASA transferred the SLS rocket back to the Assembly Building to put it out of the hurricane's way. Fortunately, the Artemis 1 stack and the Orion Capsule, did not incur any damage.
Read Also: NASA's Artemis 1 Will Have a Critical Fueling Test on Sept. 21
Artemis I
Formerly called Exploration Mission-1, this will mark NASA's first integrated test for deep space exploration systems. It will be the start of a series of complex missions. The first uncrewed flight test will provide insights for NASA, into whether humans will be capable of conducting deep space exploration. If that has proven to be successful, human existence may extend to the Moon, and maybe even farther.
The mission will be breaking records, as it is the most powerful rocket to ever be sent to space. The SLS rocket will fly 280,000 miles from Earth, which is farther than any spacecraft built for humans. The future mission will travel beyond the Moon and will take around four to six weeks to complete. The mission wills see Orion stay in space longer without docking to a space station.
If the mission is successful, the second flight will include astronauts. They will begin to build testing systems near the Moon, to prepare for lunar surface missions and explore farther destinations like Mars. The rocket, initially able to carry 25 metric tons, will be able to carry at least 45 metric tons in the next flight, according to NASA's website.
The mission could eliminate the dependence on Earth, as they will assemble a dock with a gateway. With the dock, astronauts can conduct deep-space operations to and on the Moon. NASA will use the lunar orbit to gain the experience needed, to further extend human exploration into the solar system.
Related: 10 More Things to Know About the Artemis 1 Moon Mission
