CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – The countdown to launch Artemis II to the moon and back is nearly here.
It’s poised to be the first crewed flight around the moon since 1972. Four astronauts will be carried to the moon - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen.
Before the crew heads into space, it’s up to everyone on the ground to ensure the operation is ready to go.
“Our flight systems are ready, our ground systems are ready, our launch and operations are ready and our flight operations team in Houston are ready,” said Dr. Lori Glaze. She’s with NASA Exploration Systems.
Previously the mission was held up due to a hydrogen rocket fuel leak and a helium leak. This prompted a closer look at the rocket.
“We not only changed the batteries out of our flight termination system, but we also made two repairs,” said Shawn Quinn, he’s the Exploration Ground Systems Manager. “The helium that we talked about last time and also a harness on the flight termination system.”
Another area being looked over with a fine-toothed comb is the launch pad.
“Teams have worked to make sure the connection to the ML and the pad infrastructure are correct - the vehicle is talking to the pad that is talking to the systems,” said Chris Cianciola, the Space Launch System Program Deputy Manager.
Once the team is in space it’ll be all hands-on deck ensuring the astronauts are safe.
“Our mission evaluation room team will be monitoring and looking at all the data very closely and making sure all systems are working before we commit to the moon through our translunar burn,” said the Orion Program Manager Howard Hu.
One thing officials are keeping a close watch on is weather for the launch.
“The thing we are watching is cumulus cloud, the thick cloud rule and winds,” explained Quinn.
Right now, officials say they are forecast to be 80% go.
Monday the mission management team will become the primary decision makers regarding readiness for launch.
The roughly 10-day journey will take the four pioneers 600,000 miles around the moon and back.
The anticipated launch day is April 1.