Summary

  • Nasa has successfully launched its most powerful-ever rocket, as part of a plan to eventually return humans to the Moon

  • "We rise together, back to the Moon and beyond", exclaims a giddy space agency official

  • The Space Launch System took off from its Florida launch site at 06:47 GMT (01:47 local time) - a historic moment for Nasa

  • The first Artemis I launch failed at the end of August due to technical glitches, while a second attempt at the start of September was hampered by a fuel leak

  • A planned third attempt in late September was delayed due to a tropical storm Ian

  • The mission involves using a huge rocket to send uncrewed capsule Orion around the back of the Moon

  • Nasa wants to send astronauts back to the lunar surface by 2025, for the first time in more than 50 years

  1. Artemis takes off!published at 06:49 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022
    Breaking

    The SLS takes offImage source, Nasa

    And we have lift-off!

    The Space Launch System has been launched into the air successfully - an historic moment for Nasa.

    "We rise together, back to the moon and beyond" exclaims the Nasa commentator.

  2. One minute to gopublished at 06:47 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022

    The Nasa commentator has been talking us through the final steps before lift-off, on the space agency's live feed.

    Just 60 seconds till the Space Launch System is in the air.

    Nasa's Space Launch System prepares for take-offImage source, Nasa
  3. Less than ten minutes until lift-offpublished at 06:40 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022
    Breaking

    Following those latest positive signals, the countdown clock has resumed.

    We're now expecting launch at 01:47 local time (06:47 GMT).

    Take-off will be 44 seconds after the minute, to be exact.

    A reminder you can watch Artemis lift-off by clicking the 'play' button at the top of this page.

  4. No constraints for launchpublished at 06:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022

    In the last few moments, Nasa has said there are "no constraints to launch".

    It seems any last-minute hitches are being resolved.

    The commentator on Nasa's live feed describes it as "great news".

    You can watch what's happening as we await a launch time by clicking the 'play' button at the top of this page.

    Artemis rocket countdownImage source, NASA
  5. Weather conditions ‘favourable’ for launchpublished at 06:28 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022

    All eyes are on Florida’s Kennedy Space Center as thousands gather hoping to see the launch today. But for Nasa’s scientists and administrators - and for the success of this launch - the weather is crucial.

    The latest assessment puts the local conditions at 90% favourable.

    As we mentioned a short while ago, Nasa has entered its two-hour launch window, but has paused the countdown while it completes some last-minute work ahead of planned take-off.

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  6. Nasa enters two-hour launch windowpublished at 06:14 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022

    Artemis rocket on launch padImage source, NASA

    We've now entered what's called the launch window for Nasa's latest attempt at its Artemis rocket launch.

    This lasts from 01:04 local time in Florida (06:04 GMT) until 03:04.

    Clearly, the engineers didn't manage to hit the very start of the window for take-off - but they are hoping they manage to fix any last-minute snags to get things off the ground before long.

    On its live stream just now, the Nasa communications team said it was awaiting a new time for launch.

  7. Welcome as we prepare for lift off - againpublished at 05:59 Greenwich Mean Time 16 November 2022

    Good morning and welcome to our coverage of Nasa's third attempt at trying to launch Artemis I - the first mission in a programme that aims to eventually return humans to the Moon.

    Its first launch failed at the end of August due to technical glitches, while a second attempt at the start of September was hampered by a fuel leak.

    Nasa was then aiming for 27 September, but ended up having to delay again because of the potential threat of tropical storm Ian.

    So, here we are. Will it be third time lucky?

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest updates from the ground – and hopefully the sky – as things get going at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.