CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Artemis 1's November launch is a go... at least for now.
NASA said a team at the Kennedy Space Center conducted initial inspections on Friday to assess any damage from Hurricane Ian on the Artemis flight hardware.
While there was no damage to the flight hardware, there was minor water intrusion identified in facilities.
NASA said engineers will extend access on platforms around the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft inside the Vehicle Assembly Building to prepare for additional inspections in preparation for the next launch attempt.
The most recent launch attempt was scrapped on Sept. 23 as NASA prepared for Ian. It would have been the third launch attempt for the Space Launch System rocket. Fuel leaks and other technical problems stopped the first two launch attempts in late August and early September.
NASA said it will focus Artemis 1 launch planning efforts for a launch period that will open on Nov. 12 and Nov. 27.
"Focusing efforts on the November launch period allows time for employees at Kennedy to address the needs of their families and homes after the storm and for teams to identify additional checkouts needed before returning to the pad for launch," NASA said in a press release.
Hurricane Ian tore through southwest Florida on Wednesday leaving behind flooded neighborhoods and devastation.
The storm caused catastrophic storm surge, winds and flooding over the Florida peninsula as it made landfall, the National Hurricane Center reported.
The center of Ian moved over Central Florida through Thursday before emerging over the Atlantic and barreled toward South Carolina.
