All systems go for the Artemis II launch tomorrowpublished at 19:13 BST
19:13 BST
Pallab Ghosh
Science correspondent
Nasa has had daily briefings in the run up to the launch of
Artemis II, and each day the word “ready” has been used with increasing
frequency. That’s because engineers have done a great job on the rocket’s
systems. But there could be a cloud on the horizon – literally.
It is hard to imagine that the most powerful rocket ever
built could be thwarted by a fluffy cloud, but it can, and here is why:
At today’s briefing, forecasters said the main worry is
puffy, cotton wool type clouds called cumulus clouds that can grow tall enough
for a rocket to trigger lightning as it flies through it or even close to it.
On the plus side, there is a gentle breeze which will move
any offending cloud out of the way during the two hour launch window.
Tomorrow offers the best weather of the week, with light
showers only a small risk and an 80% chance of acceptable conditions. Saturday
is the next best option before things get more hit and miss later on.
But as for the things Nasa can control, the agency’s test
director said countdown and tanking preparations are on track, the crew and the
flight teams are in good spirits – and if the clouds behave, Artemis II should
get the green light to head for the Moon.
We’ll be ending our live coverage here, but come back
tomorrow for our coverage of Artemis II’s launch day.