NASA has been forced to delay the launch of the Artemis 1 moon rocket for the third time as tropical storm Ian, which could soon become a hurricane, hits Florida.
The tropical storm has sparked panic across the state as residents cleared grocery store shelves, and now the country’s space program has also felt the fear and canceled the launch that was scheduled for Tuesday.
Artemis 1 is a launch vehicle designed to take astronauts and equipment to and from the moon after a 50-year wait. The last manned mission to the moon was Apollo 17, which took place from December 7th to 19th, 1972.
The space agency is still deciding whether to bring Artemis 1 back to its assembly site, and if they do, they may not be able to launch during the launch window, which ends October 4.
NASA officials said they would “review the latest information about the storm from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the US Space Force and the National Hurricane Center” and make a decision on Monday.
Tropical Storm Ian will explosively intensify on its way from Grand Cayman to Florida into a major hurricane
Artemis 1, NASA’s rocket meant to return astronauts to the moon after a 50-year hiatus, has been delayed again due to the approach of Tropical Storm Ian
A line of shoppers can be seen outside a retail warehouse as Floridians rush to prepare for what is expected to be a powerful hurricane
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across the state and its 67 counties on Saturday afternoon, prompting stores full of panicked shoppers
The rocket’s first launch failed in late August due to technical failures, while the second attempt was halted by a fuel leak in September.
Tropical Storm Ian is expected to strengthen into a hurricane on Monday and reach “major” hurricane strength — Category 3 or greater — on Tuesday before reaching Cuba.
The storm is expected to make landfall in Florida during the week, either late Wednesday evening or early Thursday morning, and will bring winds of 130 miles per hour.
“Ian will be a large and powerful hurricane in the eastern Gulf of Mexico and will spread its effects across much of peninsular Florida,” said Jamie Rhome, acting director of the National Hurricane Center.
“The surge vulnerability along the west coast of Florida is very extreme,” Rhome said, pointing out “it doesn’t take an onshore or direct hit from a hurricane to stall the waters.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency across the state and its 67 counties on Saturday afternoon as a sign of officials’ grave concern.
The cities of Orlando, Panama City and Tampa are all in the path of Tropical Storm Ian, according to the latest forecasts from The Weather Channel. Parts of Alabama and Georgia may also be affected.
Residents along the expected path have been urged to prepare for the hurricane, as officials at the National Hurricane Center warn of the above-average level of “uncertainty” surrounding the storm’s forecast path and intensity.
DeSantis echoed the uncertainty surrounding Ian’s path, saying, “Just don’t think, if you’re not in that eye, that somehow you don’t have to prepare.”
DeSantis also warned of the storm’s unpredictability, saying residents who are not in the eye of the storm should still be cautious and prepare
A National Weather Service chart shows potential storm surge depths in South Florida and warns they will likely be accompanied by “large and destructive waves.”
Cars line up at a Costco gas station in Orlando, Fla. as residents rush to stock up on gas ahead of the coming storm
The National Hurricane Center is warning of storm surges in parts of Florida’s coast, including the Florida Keys, as forecasters predict water levels could rise several feet.
The center also predicted some areas of the state could get up to 6 inches of rain by Tuesday night and warned of possible flash flooding.
John Cangialosi, a senior hurricane specialist, said Sunday it was not clear exactly where in Florida Ian would be hit hardest.
Residents should begin preparations, including getting supplies for possible power outages, he said.
“It’s hard to say hang in there, but that’s the right message now,” he said. “There’s still time to get your supplies.”
Meanwhile, authorities in Cuba are preparing for Tropical Storm Ian by evacuating some areas of the island and suspending classes at schools in the western part of the island.
As of 11 p.m. EST on Sunday, Ian was moving northwest at 13 miles per hour, about 140 miles south of Grand Cayman, according to the center. It had maximum sustained winds of 65 mph.
President Biden also declared a Florida emergency and activated federal disaster relief for the state just an hour before he canceled his visit to Florida to court candidates for the Democratic midterm.