NASA fuels Artemis II moon rocket ahead of tonights launch: We are ready to go [l93wPaD14ki]
NASA fueled its moon rocket Wednesday for humanity’s first lunar trip in more than half a century, aiming for an evening liftoff with four astronauts. The three Americans and one Canadian waved and shaped their hands into hearts as they emerged from crew quarters to cheers and said goodbye to their families. The crowd applauded and cheered again as the astronauts boarded their astrovan for the nine mile (14-kilometer) ride to the launch pad. Commander Reid Wiseman thanked the throngs who gathered to see them off. “It’s a great day for us. It’s a great day for this team,” Wiseman called out. Tensions were high earlier in the day as hydrogen fuel started flowing into the rocket. Dangerous hydrogen leaks erupted during a countdown test earlier this year, forcing a lengthy flight delay. To NASA’s relief, no significant hydrogen leaks occurred. The launch team loaded more than 700,000 gallons of fuel (2.6 million liters) into the 32-story Space Launch System rocket on the pad, a smooth operation that set the stage for the Artemis II crew to board. “It is time to fly,” Wiseman declared on the eve of launch via X. Favorable weather was forecast. The four will fly around the moon without stopping or even orbiting — then head straight back for a Pacific splashdown. They will set a new distance record for the farthest humans have traveled from Earth as they zoom some 4,000 miles (6,400 kilometers) beyond the moon and then hang a U-turn. Astronauts last flew to the moon during Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II is the opening shot of NASA’s grand plans for a permanent moon base. The space program is aiming for a moon landing near the lunar south pole in 2028. “The next era of exploration begins,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman posted on X. READ MORE: _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: 13 WHAM on Facebook: 13 WHAM on Twitter: 13WHAM on Instagram: 13WHAM on TikTok: 13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest: For more information, visit Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700 WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork