Updates: Countdown to launch of NASA’S Artemis I moon mission

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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.

Journalists from around the globe have descended on Kennedy Space Center to hopefully report on a historic launch (Denise Vickers/WUFT News)

Update, Wednesday at 1:11 a.m.:  This map explains the Artemis I mission once it gets into space.

This graphic details the Artemis mission path once in space. (NASA)

Update, Wednesday at 12:55 a.m.:  Astronauts listen as an update is given from Artemis launch control.

Astronauts pause to listen to a briefing from Artemis launch control. (Denise Vickers/WUFT News)

Update, Wednesday at 12:40 a.m.:  The countdown clock holds at 10 minutes which is standard operating procedure for NASA launches.

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.

When NASA launches Artemis I it will be visible along the Space Coast and throughout parts of Florida briefly. (NASA)

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.

Update, Wednesday at 12:01 a.m.:  The loss of radar signal is determined to be a bad ethernet switch.

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.

Update, Tuesday at 10:05 p.m.:  A specialized team known as the red crew is mobilized to address the leak by tightening bolts.

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.

About Denise Vickers

Denise is the director of the Innovation News Center and WUFT News at the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications.

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