Artemis I launch updates: launch scrubbed after reoccurring liquid hydrogen leak

Launch control gave an order for fuel loading operations for Artemis I to begin Saturday morning, ahead of the scheduled launch window.

Over the next few hours 760,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen will be loaded into the Space Launch System (SLS) tank.

Engineers detected a liquid hydrogen leak in a quick disconnect cavity and stopped flowing the propellant to the core stage while they troubleshot, NASA had said earlier.

Launch controllers have resumed the flow of liquid hydrogen to the core stage.

-ABC News' Gina Sunseri

NASA officials announced Friday that Artemis I is still on track to launch Saturday afternoon between 2:17 p.m. ET and 4:17 p.m. ET.

Jeremy Parsons, deputy manager of exploration ground systems at the Kennedy Space Center, said pre-launch tests and checks are "proceeding right on schedule."

Melody Lovin, launch weather officer at the U.S. Space Force, said the weather forecast is currently a 60% go overall and 80% toward the end of the two-hour window, If the launch needs to be delayed until Monday, the forecast is a 70% go.

"I do not expect weather to be a showstopper by any means for either launch window," she said.

The Artemis I launch attempt is still planned for Saturday from 2:17-4:17 p.m. ET, NASA officials said during a press conference Thursday.

"We're comfortable with our risk posture," Artemis mission manager Mike Serafin said. "That said, there's no guarantee that we're going to get off on Saturday, but we're going to try."

If not Saturday, the next launch attempt would be Monday from 5:12 p.m.-6:42 p.m. ET, officials said. Tuesday could also be an option, after which the next earliest launch attempt would be Sept. 19, Serafin said.

Sunday is no longer a backup option because the spacecraft would fly into an eclipse scenario, which would not allow it to get the power it needs from the sun.

If the launch is Saturday, the mission will be 37 days long, with the splashdown on Oct. 11, Serafin said.

-ABC News' Gio Benitez and Meredith Deliso

NASA officials said the Artemis I new launch date that was initially scheduled for Friday had to be moved due to bad weather.

The weather is 60% no go for Friday but looks to be more favorable Saturday.

"Looking forward to Saturday, weather would be a little bit different than what we experienced yesterday," Mark Berger, launch weather officer with the U.S. Space Force's 45th Weather Squadron, said during a media briefing Tuesday. "We will have a fairly strong onshore flow, and so that does favor showers and possibly a few thunderstorms moving in from the coast during the morning and early afternoon hours."

He added, "I'm optimistic that we'll have at least some clear air to work with during the afternoon to count on Saturday."

The window for launch on Saturday kicks off at 2:17 p.m. ET and ends at 4:17 p.m. ET. If need be, the launch can be pushed back to Monday.

If the launch does not occur by Monday, Artemis I will have to roll back to the Vehicle Assembly Building and won’t be able to launch until later in September.

This is because the flight termination batteries, which allow Artemis to be blown up if it veers off course, run low after 25 days.

-ABC News' Gio Benitez and Gina Sunseri