The NASA Artemis 1 launch has been delayed because of the worsening Tropical Storm Ian. 

NASA Artemis 1 Launch Delayed—SLS Rocket Now Rolling Back to Assembly Building; New Schedule, Other Details
(Photo : Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)
In this handout image provided by NASA, NASAs Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft aboard is seen during sunrise atop a mobile launcher at Launch Pad 39B as preparations for launch continue, at NASAs Kennedy Space Center, August 31, 2022 in Florida.

As of writing, this depression, which formed over the Caribbean Sea, has already reached 60 miles per hour. 

Various meteorologists expect the tropical storm to become a full-blown hurricane as early as Sept. 26. 

When it comes to affected places, the typhoon is expected to hit Florida, including the Kennedy Space Center. 

NASA Artemis 1 Launch Delayed

According to Express UK's latest report, NASA's SLS (Space Launch System), the rocket for Artemis 1 mission, can withstand strong wind speeds (up to 80 miles per hour).

NASA Artemis 1 Launch Delayed—SLS Rocket Now Rolling Back to Assembly Building; New Schedule, Other Details
(Photo : Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
NASA's Artemis I Moon rocket is rolled out to Launch Pad Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on August 16, 2022. - Artemis 1, an uncrewed test flight, will feature the first blastoff of the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which will be the most powerful in the world when it goes into operation.

Also Read: NASA's Earth Observatory Discovers a New Baby Island After an Underwater Volcanic Eruption

Although Tropical Storm Ian hasn't reached the wind speed threshold for SLS, the international space union still postponed the Sept. 27 launch schedule. 

"NASA continues to closely monitor the weather forecast associated with Tropical Storm Ian," said a NASA spokesperson. 

As of press time, the NASA official confirmed that they are preparing if they need to roll back the SLS rocket, as well as the Orion spacecraft, to the Vehicle Assembly Building. 

The NASA spokesperson further shared that their top priority is still the safety of their employees and other people they are working with. 

But, they also ensure that the Artemis 1 rocket and spacecraft system is protected from tropical storms. 

New Artemis 1 Launch Schedule, Other Details  

As of writing, NASA still has no official launch schedule for its Artemis 1 mission. Previously, officials said they plan to retain the SLS rocket at Launch Complex 39B. 

If the spacecraft will not be rolled back to its assembly building, NASA said that they could continue the Artemis 1 launch as early as Oct. 2. 

But, if the SLS rocket is officially brought back to the VAB, the Artemis 1 mission could be delayed until the half of October, as reported by SpaceNews.

In other stories, the NASA DART mission is confirmed to smash an asteroid. 

Meanwhile, a NASA astronaut flew on the Russian Soyuz rocket to the International Space Station. 

For more news updates about NASA and its Artemis 1 mission delay, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.  

Related Article: NASA's DART Mission Will Finally Smash an Asteroid Next Week

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Written by Griffin Davis

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