Artemis Program

We hear from a number of experts and reporters on this week's biggest stories on The Florida Roundup.

NASA's Artemis moon rocket has finally launched after months of setbacks, from fuel leaks to hurricanes. If successful, the mission signals a big step toward returning humans to the moon.

The space agency has been trying for months to send its giant moon rocket on its first test flight. The goal is to send a crew capsule, with no astronauts on board, around the moon and back.

NASA is again postponing the launch of its new moon rocket because of a storm threatening the Florida coast.

The Artemis I mission is now targeting a launch from Kennedy Space Center Monday, Nov. 14. The 69-minute launch window opens at 12:07 a.m.

NASA said it will continue to watch the development and forecast of the storm.

Teams will keep monitoring the forecast and decide no later than Saturday whether to delay the test flight and haul the rocket off the pad.

NASA is on course for a possible launch attempt Tuesday, provided the U.S. Space Force extends the certification of batteries on board that are part of the flight safety system.

NASA could try more to launch as early as Sept. 27.

Managers said they will conduct another fueling test to ensure all hydrogen leaks are plugged. If that test goes well — and if the Space Force extends a flight safety waiver — then NASA could take another stab at launching the 322-foot rocket in late September.

A recurring leak of liquid hydrogen fuel forced NASA on Saturday to postpone a scheduled launch for the second time this week. The earliest possible launch date is Sept. 19.

The forecast is 60% for a go for when the launch window opens up at 2:17 p.m.