---
title: "NASA Watches Nervously as Hurricane Threatens Exposed Moon Rocket"
description: "Eye of the Hurricane NASA's uber-expensive Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket is officially back on the launch pad at its Kennedy Space Center, getting ready for its next launch attempt just after midnight on November 14. It's been a long time coming, given the fact that several launch attempts have had to be scrapped […]"
date: "2022-11-08"
modified: "2022-11-08"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-watches-hurricane-moon-rocket"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Moon"
  - "NASA"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "moon"
  - "NASA"
  - "Space Launch System"
  - "the digest"
---

# NASA Watches Nervously as Hurricane Threatens Exposed Moon Rocket

![NASA's uber-expensive Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket is officially back on the launch pad, but the agency is getting nervous about Hurricane Nicole.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/nasa-watches-hurricane-moon-rocket.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: NASA\</em\>*

## Eye of the Hurricane

NASA's uber-expensive Space Launch System (SLS) Moon rocket is officially [back on the launch pad](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-rolls-out-moon-rocket>) at the Kennedy Space Center, getting ready for its next launch attempt, currently slated for just after midnight on November 14.

It's been a long time coming, given that several previously launch attempts have already been scrapped [due to technical issues](<https://futurism.com/nasa-sls-artemis-update>) and bad weather.

Now, though, a new threat is approaching. Hurricane Nicole, which [strengthened to a tropical storm](<https://apnews.com/article/hurricanes-florida-storms-weather-bahamas-aeb567ab091893f0c15001980c7e2658?taid=636a79167a18c2000175efa6&utm_campaign=TrueAnthem&utm_medium=AP&utm_source=Twitter>) today, is starting to look like it could pose a real risk to the giant spacecraft while it's sitting out on the pad — which could be a disaster of epic proportions, given the [billions of dollars](<https://futurism.com/nasa-inspector-general-report-looming>) the agency has poured into it so far.

"NASA is working with US Space Force and the National Hurricane Center to monitor Subtropical Storm Nicole," reads a [statement](<https://blogs.nasa.gov/artemis/2022/11/07/nasa-monitoring-subtropical-storm-nicole-space-launch-system-rocket-and-orion-to-remain-at-launch-pad-39b/>) by the space agency. "Based on current forecast data, managers have determined the Space Launch System rocket and Orion will remain at Launch Pad 39B."

## Tropic Thunder

The likelihood of windspeeds reaching hurricane levels has crept up to 15 percent, according to the [National Hurricane Center](<https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIAPWSAT2+shtml/080854.shtml?>). For now, all NASA can do is monitor the situation carefully.

In other words, the agency isn't planning on returning the rocket to the shelter of its Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where the rocket has spent most of the last two months.

"Several people have asked about a rollback to the VAB," *Ars Technica*'s Eric Berger [tweeted](<https://twitter.com/SciGuySpace/status/1589986130035970048>). "I don't think there's time. It would have to be done no later than tonight, as \[tropical storm\] force winds may arrive as early as Wednesday morning."

## Bated Breath

All told, it's got to be a scary moment for NASA. Having a tropical storm swoop in unexpectedly at the last minute could prove disastrous for its troubled Artemis 1 mission.

NASA has spent billions of dollars on its SLS launch platform over the last decade or so, but has yet to get it off the ground. All we can do now is hope that Hurricane Nicole won't represent yet another setback.

**READ MORE:** [NASA will leave its $4.1 billion rocket outside as Nicole approaches Florida](<https://arstechnica.com/science/2022/11/nasa-will-leave-its-4-1-billion-rocket-outside-as-nicole-approaches-florida/>) \[*Ars Technica*\]

**More on SLS:** *[NASA Rolls Moon Rocket Out to the Pad for Lunar Mission](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/nasa-rolls-out-moon-rocket>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)