NASA calls off today's launch of moon mission - set to be tracked from UK
The space agency said it had been postponed due to an issue with one of the engines
Last updated 29th Aug 2022
Monday's launch of NASA's Artemis 1 moon mission, due to be tracked from the UK, has been called off due to an issue with one of the engines.
The rocket had been due to take off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, during a two-hour window after 1.33pm BST, but was called off by the launch director moments before.
The space agency said: "Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson has called a scrub of the attempt of the launch of Artemis 1.
"The issue that came up was an engine bleed which couldn't be remedied but the rocket is currently in a stable configuration.
"It was mostly tanked but not completely tanked.
"Engineers are now working on a plan to continue gathering data about this particular engine and the bleed that didn't work out".
They added that the first opportunity for the next launch attempt will be Friday September 2, depending on how the engine bleed develops.
Whenever the next attempt, the mission will be tracked and monitored from Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall.
The unmanned flight marks the next chapter in putting astronauts back on the Moon, and is the first in NASA's Artemis programme.
There will be astronauts on board for subsequent missions, with the first manned flight into space scheduled for 2024.
NASA expects the first Artemis astronauts to land on the Moon in 2025.
What is Goonhilly's role in the mission?
Over the past year, Goonhilly has supported ESA's Mars Express, Gaia and Integral missions, communicating with the satellites in deep space as they complete their scientific objectives.
Now, the site is strengthening the UK's position as an international space power through its contributions to NASA’s pioneering Artemis programme.
Speaking ahead of Monday's planned mission, Ian Jones, CEO of Goonhilly, said: "Being asked to participate in this landmark NASA mission as one of the key ground stations is an immense privilege for all of us at Goonhilly.
"Both NASA and ESA are moving towards a commercial model for lunar communications and Goonhilly is the world's only facility that is set up, qualified and ready to provide this service".
You can watch the all the action from the Kennedy Space Station, on NASA's livestream...
Ian Jones continued: "Our team has worked tremendously hard over the last several years to get us to this position. Our experienced operators have been working closely with the various lunar missions that will be carried onboard Artemis 1.
"As well as the excitement of returning humans to the moon, this new chapter demonstrates the validity of the commercial business model developed at Goonhilly".
The Artemis 1 mission comes ahead of the UK's first space launch from Newquay later this year.