Despite some concerns about damage to the Space Launch System (SLS) and the $4.1 billion Orion spacecraft due to Hurricane Nicole, NASA continues its current launch efforts. Artemis 1 is currently counting down to a two-hour launch window starting Wednesday, November 16 at 1:04 AM ET (06:04 GMT). You can watch the launch live on Space.com, courtesy of NASA.

Live coverage of Artemis 1’s countdown and launch will be broadcast on Space.com via NASA Television, the NASA mobile app, and the agency’s official website (opens in a new tab). Pre-launch coverage begins at 15:30 ET (2030 GMT) when the agency initiates the process of cryogenically refueling the Space Launch System.

Artemis 1 was originally scheduled to launch at the end of August, but refueling failures caused a one-month delay. Then came Hurricane Ian, which caused further delays as NASA moved the Artemis 1 SLS stack from Launchpad 39B at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) to protect the massive Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB). SLS again after November 4 rolled onto the construction site, had to face Hurricane Nicole, which exposed the car to strong winds.and turned into a tropical storm shortly after landing.

Despite minor damage to the SLS and Orion spacecraft during Hurricane Nicole, NASA officials are confident in their decision to target a launch attempt on November 16. “There is no change in our plan to attempt launch on the 16th,” Mike Sarafin, Artemis mission manager at NASA’s headquarters in Washington, told media after a damage analysis Monday, Nov.

One of the main areas of concern is a thin strip of insulation known as RTV that covers a small groove surrounding the Orion spacecraft to prevent unwanted airflow and heat during flight. Wind Nicole ripped off some of the RTV, and there are now fears that others could come loose during launch, posing a wreck hazard for the SLS.