NASA Calls Off Artemis 1 Launch Due To Technical Issue

LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 11: The NASA logo is displayed at the agency’s booth during CES 2018 at the Las Vegas Convention Center on January 11, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. CES, the world’s largest annual consumer technology trade show, runs through January 12 and features about 3,900 exhibitors showing off their latest products and services to more than 170,000 attendees. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

A historic NASA space launch was called off at the last minute on Monday, due to an engine issue.

The SLS ‘megarocket’ was scheduled to lift off at 8:33am on Monday, beginning a 42-day, million-mile voyage around the Moon and back to Earth.

But officials cancelled the launch after an engine-cooling test failed in one of the rocket’s four engines. Backup dates for the launch are set for Sept. 2nd and Sept. 5th.

If the problem can’t be fixed in time, the launch would likely be delayed until October. The SLS, or Space Launch System, is a key part of NASA’s Artemis mission, which aims to send humans to the moon by the year 2025.

NASA calls off Artemis 1 moon rocket launch over engine cooling issue https://t.co/oIk67KZurz pic.twitter.com/WCgjAL5sMO

— SPACE.com (@SPACEdotcom) August 29, 2022