Today’s launch has been called off due to engine issues. Here’s what we know so far, and we’ll continue to update this post with the latest.
Thousands of Alabamians were watching across the state this morning to see if NASA will launch a new moon rocket with more than a few Alabama contributions.
As precious minutes ticked away, the Associated Press reports, NASA repeatedly stopped and started the fueling of the Space Launch System rocket with nearly 1 million gallons of super-cold hydrogen and oxygen because of a leak. Later in the morning, NASA officials discovered what they initially feared was a crack in the spaceship, but found that it was apparently just a buildup of frost, AP reported. The fuel leak and then an engine problem ultimately forced NASA to scrub the launch.
Auburn was also hosting a launch party. Nearly 500 Auburn alumni have worked for NASA including six astronauts, and the university boasts three Kennedy Space Center directors. Marshall Space Flight Center Deputy Director Joseph Pelfrey, an Auburn alumnus, has said “War Eagle” is written somewhere on the rocket.
SLS had already dodged one launch threat. Lightning struck special protective towers around the launchpad Saturday, but the towers worked as designed and the rocket was ruled good to go.
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