Artemis I: NASA is aiming to launch Artemis I, the first leg and uncrewed flight test of the Artemis Program, on Wednesday, November 16. The mission was delayed multiple times due to reasons such as technical problems in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and tropical storms Ian and Nicole. Artemis I was scheduled to launch on November 14, but was postponed due to Tropical Storm Nicole. NASA, based on expected weather conditions and options to roll back ahead of the storm, determined that the safest option for the launch hardware was to keep the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft secured at the launchpad in Kennedy Space Center, Florida. 


The two-hour launch window of Artemis I on November 16 will open at 1:04 am EST (11:34 am IST). If Artemis I is launched on the scheduled date, and the mission objectives are completed in space, the Orion spacecraft will splash down off the coast of Florida on September 11. 


NASA has also decided on a back-up launch opportunity on November 19. 


When and how to watch Artemis I online


One can watch the Artemis I launch online on different platforms, including NASA television, the NASA app, the official NASA website and NASA's social media platforms, among others. 


The launch will be streamed live on NASA's Facebook, Twitch and YouTube accounts. 


NASA will also host an Artemis blog where the space agency will post regular mission updates.


ALSO READ | NASA Delays Artemis I Due To Tropical Storm Nicole, Targets Launch On November 16: All You Need To Know


All about Artemis I


The first integrated test of NASA's deep space exploration systems, Artemis I is an uncrewed flight that will provide a foundation for human deep space exploration. Artemis I will take off from Launch Pad 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. 


The Orion spacecraft, SLS rocket, and the ground systems at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida are the US space agency's deep space exploration systems. 


The Artemis project, the first human moon mission since 1972, aims to carry the first woman, and the first person of colour to the Moon, by 2024. 


The first spaceflight that landed humans on the lunar surface was Apollo 11 on July 20, 1969, and the last one was Apollo 17 on December 11, 1972. 


Artemis, the Goddess of the Moon in Greek Mythology, after whom NASA's upcoming Moon mission has been named, was the twin sister of Apollo. 


The objective behind the Artemis Mission is that it will enable NASA to demonstrate new technologies on the Moon, which will pave the way for future exploration of Mars. 


The Artemis Mission has three stages, Artemis I, II, and III. 


NASA's massive SLS rocket and Orion Space Capsule will carry astronauts into lunar orbit. From there, SpaceX's Human Lander System (HLS) will ferry the astronauts to the Moon's icy south pole. 


Orion will be carried atop the super-heavy lift rocket, SLS. If Artemis I is successful, it will be certified that the SLS and Orion can be used for the other two Artemis missions, which will be crewed flights. 


Artemis I will demonstrate the performance of both Orion and SLS and test NASA's capabilities to orbit the Moon and return to Earth. The first uncrewed test flight of the Artemis Program will pave the way for future missions to the lunar vicinity, including landing the first woman and the first person of colour on the surface of the Moon. 


The objective of Artemis I is to set the stage for human exploration into deep space, where astronauts will build and begin testing the systems near the Moon needed for lunar exploration missions and to other destinations farther from Earth, including the Red Planet.