The next launch attempt for NASA's new moon rocket is in danger of being delayed by a storm.
A tropical depression in the southern Caribbean is moving towards Florida.
After overcoming more hydrogen leaks during a fueling test earlier in the week, managers declared that the rocket is ready to blast off on its first test flight. In 50 years, it will be the first time a crew capsule has been to the moon.
The teams will decide by Saturday whether to delay the test flight or return the rocket to the hangar. If the rocket must seek shelter indoors, it's not clear when the next attempt will be.
There are still some uncertainties in the forecast and the preference is to stay at the launch pad and try for a Tuesday liftoff.
It takes three days of preparation to get the rocket back into the Vehicle Assembly Building.
"I don't think we're close to the finish line," he said. We are taking it step by step.
The rocket can survive gusts of 85 mph at the pad, but only 46 mph on the move.
The Space Launch System rocket is the most powerful ever built. The first two attempts were scrapped due to fuel leaks and other technical issues.
The launch team was able to get the leak down to acceptable levels by slowing the flow and decreasing the pressure on the lines. The launch team was able to go ahead with Tuesday's attempt because of that.
The space shuttle program saw a lot of hydrogen fuel leaks and hurricanes. The main engines of the moon rocket are different from the ones that flew on shuttles.
The on-board batteries that are part of the flight safety system have been extended by the Space Force.
There are just two days left for NASA to launch the rocket. October 17 is the opening day of the next launch period.
The second test flight around the moon would involve astronauts. Two astronauts will land on the moon in the third mission.
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