NASA has cancelled the launch of the Artemis 1 moon test mission today.
The Orion space craft could not be cleared for launch because of a hydrogen leak in engine 3.
It was hoped this could've been the first of many test missions - with the eventual aim to establish a human presence on the moon.
NASA communications officer Derrol Nail explains the issue that caused the director to decide upon a so-called 'scrub'.
"We held at T minus 40 minutes and counting after the team was unable to get past an engine bleed."
"It did not show the right temperature, once they get into the engine bleed test."
"Ultimately the launch director has called a scrub for the day."
NASA has postponed the launch of Artemis I into space. The launch team discovered an issue with an engine bleed in one of the rocket’s four engines. https://t.co/1CfHdeVKXv pic.twitter.com/R7LsMZapzb
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) August 29, 2022
Friday
The next possible opportunity to launch Artemis 1 is Friday according to NASA.
It postponed the launch of the Orion rocket today, it's engineers are grappling with an engine bleed.
The mission was supposed to take off earlier this afternoon, and may be rescheduled for later in the week.
But NASA's Derrol Nail says that does not mean it'll be ready to go on Friday.
"That is available to the launch team."
"However, we will await a determination of what the plan is to go forward, to remedy the engine bleed."
"Then we'll go from there."
