Historic rocket launch set for Monday

NASA’s Space Launch System rocket atop the mobile launcher.

On Monday Artemis 1 will launch from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, weather permitting.

This rocket will be the most powerful rocket to date and will send an unpiloted Orion crew capsule on a trip around the moon.

If the test goes well, NASA plans to launch four astronauts for a similar trip in 2024 and then in 2025 or 2026 NASA will send a crew to the Moon.

The mission will come to an end on October 10 when the spacecraft will reenter the Earth's atmosphere and splash down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego and will be recovered by the US Navy.

The weather for Monday for Merritt Island looks like a mix of sun and cloud with a chance of showers and a risk of thunderstorms. High 31°C (88°F) winds southeast 25 to 35 km/h (15 to 20 mph).