Day 4632

The launch has been rescheduled for Saturday afternoon. This wasn't even one of the three original launch opportunities, so this new date came as a surprise to many. It certainly came as a surprise to me. Some of the local photographers liked the idea of a weekend launch because they wouldn't have to miss work. For the out-of-town folks it complicated travel arrangements even further. After listening to the readiness review teleconference this evening, I reluctantly decided to cut my losses and come home tomorrow. 

There is already a 60% chance that the Saturday launch attempt will be canceled because of a weather violation. It almost always rains during the middle of the day in this part of Florida. It didn't really feel like they had solved the problem either. The launch team felt like the problem with engine 3 was caused by a bad sensor, but they didn't want to roll the rocket back to the Vertical Assembly Building so they could remove and examine the sensor. They kept saying that they felt the system was working because their data showed that liquid hydrogen was flowing at the proper rate to engine 3. I'm no rocket scientist, but it sure seemed like they were just guessing at some of these things.

I suspect the real reason I decided to return to Dallas tomorrow was when the launch director said that the Saturday launch date was still subject to a final readiness review to be held at some uncertain time between now and Saturday. There's a good chance that they'll decide that Saturday no longer looks good while I'm sitting down here waiting. At this evening's teleconference, someone on the launch team mentioned that it wasn't a big deal if they missed the Saturday launch window because they could turn things around in 48 hours and try again on Monday. Maybe the people on expense accounts from The New York Times and National Geographic can afford to stay down here forever, but I don't have that luxury.

Truthfully, I'm ready to come home. I'm getting eaten alive by mosquitos and there isn't much to do while waiting for another launch attempt. I went out to the Press Site again today and the place was virtually empty. There was no traffic on the roads either. What a difference a day makes. I'm even starting to feel weird on my evening walks through the neighborhood. Dogs bark at me and I occasionally set off alarm systems as I walk past people's houses. The entire neighborhood seems empty. This definitely isn't a place where people take walks. I have a feeling that I am being watched through venetian blinds though. 

This trip feels a lot like one of those trips out to McDonald Observatory where I drive all day only to discover clouds or rain at my destination. I knew from the beginning that there were no guaranties that this launch would take place on schedule. I was hoping that it would though. I think everyone was hoping that the Monday attempt would be successful.

I'm fairly certain that Artemis will launch eventually. It might even happen on Saturday. I'm not so sure the program will survive though. The Space Launch System is already obsolete and the entire program is hugely over budget and years behind schedule. I'd still like to see this thing launch though. Maybe someday. For now I'm going to cut my losses and head back home.

Tessa is today's Dalmatian of the Day

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