Artemis launch live updates: Artemis moon rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral
The Artemis I rocket launched early Wednesday morning, the latest attempt to send an unmanned capsule near the moon after a series of postponements due to weather and mechanical issues.
NASA pushed back a takeoff scheduled for Monday after Hurricane Nicole made landfall about 85 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
The launch marks the first step in an ambitious plan to establish a long-term presence on the moon for scientific discovery and economic development. Eventually, the Artemis expedition could lead to the first crewed space trip to Mars, according to NASA.
Latest Developments
Nov 16, 4:32 PM
Biden celebrates Artemis launch
President Joe Biden celebrated the launch of Artemis I and expressed excitement for the goals of future missions.
"NASA’s Artemis is in flight," Biden tweeted Wednesday afternoon. "This ship will enable the first woman and first person of color to set foot on the lunar surface and will lead countless students to become explorers and show America’s limitless possibilities to the world."
NASA’s Artemis is in flight.
This ship will enable the first woman and first person of color to set foot on the lunar surface and will lead countless students to become explorers and show America’s limitless possibilities to the world. pic.twitter.com/mIEZdVcB6M— President Biden (@POTUS) November 16, 2022
Nov 16, 10:55 AM
VP congratulates NASA on Artemis launch
Vice President Kamala Harris congratulated NASA Wednesday morning on its success in launching Artemis I.
Congratulations to @NASA and our private sector and international partners on the launch of Artemis I. Today, America is charting a path back to the Moon. This is a landmark moment for our nation and our world.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) November 16, 2022
"Congratulations to NASA and our private sector and international partners on the launch of Artemis I," she tweeted.
"Today, America is charting a path back to the Moon. This is a landmark moment for our nation and our world."
Nov 16, 10:17 AM
NASA launches real-time mission website
NASA has launched a website where the public can follow the progress of the Artemis I mission in real time.
Viewers can track how far the Orion spacecraft, which detached from the rocket, is from Earth and how close it is to the moon.
Mission Time: 0 days, 6 hrs, 5 min
Orion is 38,266 miles from Earth, 214,262 miles from the Moon, cruising at 6,963 miles per hour.
P: (-41936, 664, 4887)
V: (-6657, -1993, -441)
O: 59º, 48.9º, 13.0º
What's this? https://t.co/voR4yGyAbO #TrackArtemis pic.twitter.com/HlFTdUhbV3— Orion Spacecraft (@NASA_Orion) November 16, 2022
The website also shows how fast the spacecraft is traveling and how many days, hours and minutes have elapsed since the mission began.
Nov 16, 2:21 AM
Artemis launches, in photos
Nov 16, 1:59 AM
Artemis moon rocket launches from Cape Canaveral
The unmanned mission is headed back to the moon after liftoff was achieved at 1:47am ET.
We are going.
For the first time, the @NASA_SLS rocket and @NASA_Orion fly together. #Artemis I begins a new chapter in human lunar exploration. pic.twitter.com/vmC64Qgft9— NASA (@NASA) November 16, 2022
Nov 16, 1:43 AM
Artemis cleared for 1:47 a.m. launch
NASA conducted a “Go-No Go Poll” resulting in a “GO” for launch in 10 minutes, at 1:47 a.m. ET.
All elements polled are 'go’ to proceed with the terminal count. Countdown clock is resuming at T-10 minutes. No constraints to launch.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
-ABC News’ Gio Benitez
Nov 16, 12:03 AM
Technicians need to replace ethernet cable
NASA said the "red crew" team has fixed the hydrogen leak problem.
However, a radar on the range is not operational until technicians replace an ethernet cable, which NASA says will take about an hour.
Range Safety Officer reported to NASA Test Director a problem with a bad ethernet switch and the Range is currently working to change it out and reverify it. Range reporting that it should take about 70 minutes to do that work.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
The launch window opens at 1:04 a.m. and runs until 3:04 a.m.
-ABC News' Gina Sunseri
Nov 15, 10:38 PM
NASA begins live broadcast ahead of launch
NASA has begun its live broadcast ahead of the anticipated Artemis launch.
LIVE NOW: The #Artemis era of exploration begins today with @NASAArtemis I, the first integrated test flight of the rocket and spacecraft that will bring humanity to the Moon. Watch @NASA_SLS and @NASA_Orion embark on their first voyage. https://t.co/Ngak08VFb0
— NASA (@NASA) November 16, 2022
Nov 15, 9:46 PM
Leak reported ahead of launch
NASA has reported a "small leak" ahead of the Artemis launch.
"Engineers have paused flowing liquid hydrogen into the core stage because of a small leak on a hydrogen valve inside of the mobile launcher," NASA said. "A team of personnel called a red crew is being assembled to go to the pad to make sure all of the connections and valves remain tight. The valve is located within the base of the mobile launcher."
We have stopped flow of liquid hydrogen to the core stage due to an intermittent leak on the replenish valve. Teams are discussing a plan to send out the 'red crew' to the pad to torque packing nuts at the base of the mobile launcher.
— NASA's Exploration Ground Systems (@NASAGroundSys) November 16, 2022
-ABC News' Gio Benitez
Nov 15, 9:28 PM
How to watch the Artemis launch
The Artemis launch will take place early Wednesday morning, unless NASA postpones the takeoff due to weather or other concerns.
If Artemis is declared ready, a two-hour window will open at 1:04 a.m. ET. If needed, the back-up windows are Saturday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 25.
NASA will broadcast the launch on NASA TV.
