WUFT News News and Public Media for North Central Florida from the University of Florida in Gainesville
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL – History was made Wednesday morning as NASA’s Artemis I moon mission blasted off from Kennedy Space Center. This was the program’s third launch attempt after the mission director scrubbed the first two launches due to fuel leaks. Artemis I is an uncrewed test mission for the program that will ultimately return humankind back to the moon and later onto Mars. Follow our real-time updates with the countdown to liftoff.
Update, Wednesday at 1:26 a.m.: Watch NASA’s live coverage of the launch here. This the first ever NASA launch broadcast in ultra-high definition 4K. Learn more about what that means and how to watch it in its full quality.
Update, Wednesday at 1:19 a.m.: The NASA press room is packed with journalists from all over the globe.
Update, Wednesday at 1:11 a.m.: This map explains the Artemis I mission once it gets into space.
Update, Wednesday at 12:55 a.m.: Astronauts listen as an update is given from Artemis launch control.
Update, Wednesday at 12:40 a.m.: The countdown clock holds at 10 minutes which is standard operating procedure for NASA launches.
We are in our planned hold at T-10 minutes. Currently, the upper stage liquid hydrogen is 78% filled. Core stage has been topped off – both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen are 100% filled. The ethernet switch has been replaced and will be verified.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
Update, Wednesday at 12:35 a.m.: When Artemis I launches, it will be visible around Florida for a minute or so. This visibility map shows when you should see it in your area.
Update, Wednesday at 12:23 a.m.: Mission managers are still optimistic about a launch this morning. They’re trying to get an accurate calculation on how much time the launch time will slip.
Just under 20 minutes left on the clock for preparations—the window opens at 1:04 A.M. Weather conditions are 90% favorable for the launch… but we’re still waiting on that radar. @WUFTNews pic.twitter.com/h20De9ek9e
— JACOB SEDESSE (@JACOBSEDESSE) November 16, 2022
Update, Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.: The loss of radar signal is determined to be a bad ethernet switch.
The 'red crew' team has successfully remedied the leak, and it has not recurred. Bad ethernet switch is being replaced now.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
Update, Tuesday at 11:55 p.m.: NASA: “Engineers also are tracking the loss of signal from a radar site required for launch. The Range is in the process of troubleshooting it while launch operations continue.”
Update, Tuesday at 11:00 p.m.: The red team completes the dangerous operation, resolving the leak.
The ‘red crew’ has left the launch pad. pic.twitter.com/X3w8yP3wEP
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
Update, Tuesday at 10:05 p.m.: A specialized team known as the red crew is mobilized to address the leak by tightening bolts.
The 'red crew' at @NASAKennedy heading out to the rocket on the mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B. pic.twitter.com/1EImA7Z6ER
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
Update, Tuesday at 10:00 p.m.: The fueling operations for Artemis I were going smoothly until a small hydrogen leak developed on a core stage valve.
