Nasa ’s return to the moon after an absence of more than 50 years has been delayed again as severe weather heads towards its launch pad in Florida.
Artemis I was originally due to launch in August but was scrubbed as lightning made it too dangerous to fill its fuel tanks.
That delay was followed by another when a sensor showed one of the main engines was not chilled to the correct temperature.
In September a large hydrogen leak was found on a fuel line before Hurricane Ian arrived.
Now its attempts to get off the ground have again been delayed from November 14 to 16 as Tropical Storm Nicole barrels towards the Sunshine State - and could be reclassified as a hurricane.
A Nasa spokesman said: “NASA is continuing to monitor Tropical Storm Nicole and has decided to re-target a launch for the Artemis I mission for Wednesday, November 16, pending safe conditions for employees to return to work, as well as inspections after the storm has passed.
“Adjusting the target launch date will allow the workforce to tend to the needs of their families and homes, and provide sufficient logistical time to get back into launch status following the storm.
“Kennedy currently is in a HURCON [hurricane condition] status, which includes securing facilities, property and equipment at the centre, as well as briefing and deploying the 'ride-out' team.
“As part of NASA’s hurricane preparedness protocol, a 'ride-out' team includes a set of personnel who will remain in a safe location at Kennedy throughout the storm to monitor centre-wide conditions, including the flight hardware for the Artemis I mission.”
Artemis I is the first mission of the moon exploration programme and includes an uncrewed capsule making a lunar orbit.
During the Artemis II mission, currently scheduled for May 2024, astronauts will travel to the far side of the moon before returning to Earth.
Assuming all goes to plan, in 2024 Artemis III will deliver humans to the moon for the first time since 1972 when Commander Gene Cernan and Lunar Module Pilot Harrison Schmitt of Apollo 17 stepped foot outside.
Kathy Lueders, associate administrator for human spaceflight, said: “On each new trip, astronauts are going to have an increasing level of comfort with the capabilities to explore and study more of the Moon than ever before.
“With more demand for access to the Moon, we are developing the technologies to achieve an unprecedented human and robotic presence 240,000 miles from home.
“Our experience on the Moon this decade will prepare us for an even greater adventure in the universe – human exploration of Mars.”
