Artemis launch live updates: Artemis moon rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral

The launch follows a series of delays due to weather and mechanical issues.

ByMax Zahn, Mary Kekatos, Melissa Gaffney, Jon Haworth, and Kevin Shalvey
Last Updated: November 16, 2022, 8:15 PM EST

The Artemis I rocket launched early Wednesday morning, the latest attempt to send an unmanned capsule near the moon after a series of postponements due to weather and mechanical issues.

NASA pushed back a takeoff scheduled for Monday after Hurricane Nicole made landfall about 85 miles south of Cape Canaveral, Florida.

The launch marks the first step in an ambitious plan to establish a long-term presence on the moon for scientific discovery and economic development. Eventually, the Artemis expedition could lead to the first crewed space trip to Mars, according to NASA.

NASA's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with the Orion spacecraft attached rests on launch pad 39B as final preparations are made for the Artemis I mission at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Nov. 15, 2022, in Cape Canaveral, Fla.
Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Key events:

Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern.
Nov 15, 2022, 10:38 PM EST

NASA begins live broadcast ahead of launch

NASA has begun its live broadcast ahead of the anticipated Artemis launch.

Nov 15, 2022, 9:46 PM EST

Leak reported ahead of launch

NASA has reported a "small leak" ahead of the Artemis launch.

"Engineers have paused flowing liquid hydrogen into the core stage because of a small leak on a hydrogen valve inside of the mobile launcher," NASA said. "A team of personnel called a red crew is being assembled to go to the pad to make sure all of the connections and valves remain tight. The valve is located within the base of the mobile launcher."

-ABC News' Gio Benitez

Nov 15, 2022, 9:28 PM EST

How to watch the Artemis launch

The Artemis launch will take place early Wednesday morning, unless NASA postpones the takeoff due to weather or other concerns.

If Artemis is declared ready, a two-hour window will open at 1:04 a.m. ET. If needed, the back-up windows are Saturday, Nov. 19, and Friday, Nov. 25.

NASA will broadcast the launch on NASA TV.

Nov 15, 2022, 9:24 PM EST

Weather 90% favorable for launch

The weather is currently at 90% favorable for the Artemis launch early Wednesday morning, according to NASA's Exploration Ground Systems.

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