NASA’s Moon Rocket Exposed to Potential Hurricane on Launchpad | Tech News

NASA’s Moon Rocket Exposed to Potential Hurricane on Launchpad

As Tropical Storm Nicole barrels toward Florida’s East Coast, a $4 billion NASA rocket remains on a launchpad at Kennedy Space Center, where it will ride out the approaching storm.

By:BLOOMBERG
| Updated on: Nov 11 2022, 01:04 IST
NASA: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter makes astonishing discovery
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1/6 The lunar pits found by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter have mild temperatures, drastically different from the extreme conditions on the surface of the Moon. The temperatures in these caves are nearly 17 degree Celsius almost at all times. (NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University)
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2/6 NASA Moon recently tweeted, "Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter images of pits indicate that the Moon has caves. Could they become astronaut habitats? Scientists have discovered that parts of the pits are always about 63°F (17°C), differing from extreme temperatures at the Moon's surface". (NASA)
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3/6 The surface temperatures on the Moon can go from an extremely high 127 degrees Celsius and as low as -173 degrees Celsius. "The pits, and caves to which they may lead, would make thermally stable sites for lunar exploration compared to areas at the Moon's surface, which heat up to 260 F (about 127 C) during the day and cool to minus 280 F (about minus 173 C) at night,” NASA Moon tweeted further. (NASA)
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4/6 First discovered in 2009, these lunar pits could potentially be used as location for a first Moon Base. Not only are the temperatures moderate, but these pits could also provide protection against cosmic rays, solar radiation and micrometeorites, according to NASA. (AP)
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5/6 LRO Project Scientist Noah Petro of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center said, “Lunar pits are a fascinating feature on the lunar surface. Knowing that they create a stable thermal environment helps us paint a picture of these unique lunar features and the prospect of one day exploring them.” (NASA)
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6/6 The particular pit used to analyze the thermal properties by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter was in an area of the Moon known as the Mare Tranquillitatis. It is 100-meters deep and as wide as a football field. According to scientists, the overhang of the pit is responsible for creating shadows on the Moon and maintaining a temperature of nearly 17 degrees Celsius at all times. (NASA)
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Due to tropical Storm Nicole, NASA Artemis-1 launch date has been further delayed. (NASA)

As Tropical Storm Nicole barrels toward Florida's East Coast, a $4 billion NASA rocket remains on a launchpad at Kennedy Space Center, where it will ride out the approaching storm.

Nicole is intensifying and is expected to make landfall as a Category 1 hurricane, potentially putting the huge Space Launch System rocket at risk.

NASA estimates that the SLS can withstand wind gusts of up to 85 mph (74 knots), as well as sustained winds of 46 mph (40 knots). The agency still aims to launch the rocket and uncrewed Orion capsule to the moon on Nov. 14, the first of the agency's Artemis missions, though it's unclear how the storm will impact that schedule.

“Teams at Kennedy will continue to monitor the weather, make sure all personnel are safe, and will evaluate the status of the Monday, Nov. 14, launch attempt for the Artemis I mission as we proceed and receive updated predictions about the weather,” NASA wrote in a blog post.

NASA didn't respond to a request for comment regarding specific preparations being made to secure the rocket.

The space center is at “HURCON III” status, a level of preparedness level for approaching hurricanes in which personnel work to secure the area's facilities and hardware.

Joel Cline, the tropical program coordinator with the National Weather Service, estimates there is an 80% to 90% chance of sustained tropical force winds along Florida's space coast, with storm winds approaching the area as early as Wednesday morning. That's roughly about the threshold that NASA said the rocket can handle.

“What they're telling you is they're looking for hurricane force wind gusts, and sustained winds of tropical storm force, which is the most likely probability,” Cline said.

In September, when Hurricane Ian was headed toward NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the SLS was also out on the launchpad ahead of its planned mission. However, NASA ultimately decided to roll the rocket back to its massive hangar, called the Vehicle Assembly Building, to shelter the SLS from the approaching storm.

NASA probably no longer has time for a rollback of the rocket since it takes roughly three days to prepare and move the vehicle.

Cline said that officials with Kennedy Space Center are on frequent calls with the National Hurricane Center, along with the Department of Defense and other entities operating in the area of the storm's path.

Another concern for the Florida coast, Cline said, is that the storm could bring as much as six inches of rain and a storm surge of up to three to five feet.

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First Published Date: 11 Nov, 01:04 IST
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