he earliest possible launch date for the Artemis II rocket to hold Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen across the moon is scheduled for Feb. 8.
NASA said cold weather and winds that blew through Florida and the Kennedy Space Center within the last several days led to the adjusted timeline.
They said the adjustment will position the space agency for fulfillment, because the weather was expected to “violate launch conditions.”
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On Monday, crews will conduct a simulated launch, referred to as a wet dress rehearsal, to make certain they’re prepared for launch day.
Hansen, who hails from London, Ont., will function mission specialist during Artemis II, becoming the primary non-American to travel beyond low Earth orbit, marking a historic achievement for Canada.
Artemis II can be the primary crewed mission to the moon since 1972 — the yr of the ultimate Apollo mission.
“While NASA will wait to set a launch date until teams have reviewed the end result of the wet dress rehearsal, Friday, Feb. 6, and Saturday, Feb. 7, aren’t any longer viable opportunities,” NASA said in an announcement.
“Any additional delays would lead to a day for day change.”
After the roughly 10-day mission, the craft is anticipated to splash down within the Pacific Ocean.
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