NASA calls off major Artemis-1 moon rocket launch over safety concerns

New Delhi : NASA on Sunday called off major Artemis I lunar mission amid safety concerns; a problem in the fan was detected after which the space agency decided to call off the mission.

The well-dress rehearsal for the mission started on April 1; it was halted on Sunday prior to tanking due to loss of ability to pressurize the mobile launcher using two fans. The fans are required to keep the hazardous gases out.

According to a press release by NASA, without the fans, the technicians were unable to safely proceed with remotely loading the propellants into the rocket’s core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage.

"The test is designed to demonstrate the ability to conduct a full launch countdown at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39B, including loading and draining cryogenic, or supercold, propellants into the Artemis I rocket," the release added.

NASA is scheduled to hold a press conference on Monday to update about the lunar mission.

The team will attempt to begin fueling the rocket on Monday at about 7 a.m. EDT, she said, which would put the "launch" time of the rehearsal at about 2:40 p.m. (1840 GMT).

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