
NASA says it will try again Saturday to launch the Artemis 1 mission to orbit the moon. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood joins John Dickerson from the Kennedy Space Center with details on the plans and the investigation into what went wrong on Monday.

NASA's highly anticipated Artemis 1 mission, aiming to send an uncrewed Orion spacecraft on a journey around the Moon, has been rescheduled for launch on Saturday, November 12th, after encountering a series of technical setbacks. The initial launch attempt, slated for Monday, November 14th, was scrubbed due to issues with a faulty sensor related to the spacecraft's hydrogen leak detection system. Engineers spent days troubleshooting the problem, ultimately identifying a faulty temperature sensor that was triggering a false alarm and preventing the flow of cryogenic propellant needed for launch. The postponement, while frustrating for the agency and the many onlookers eagerly awaiting the launch, underscored the inherent complexity of deep-space missions. The intricate systems involved require meticulous attention to detail and redundancy to ensure the safety and success of the mission. The decision to delay the launch, prioritizing a thorough investigation and repair over a rushed attempt, reflects NASA's commitment to mission success and the safety of the Orion spacecraft. The flawed sensor highlights the challenges of working with extremely cold propellants like liquid hydrogen, which present unique engineering hurdles. The replacement of the faulty sensor and subsequent tests involved extensive checks to verify the integrity of the entire fuel loading system. NASA officials stressed the importance of these checks, stating that addressing the problem effectively was paramount to the mission's long-term success. The rescheduled launch on Saturday represents a crucial step forward for NASA's ambitious Artemis program, aimed at returning humans to the lunar surface and establishing a sustained presence on the Moon. A successful Artemis 1 mission will pave the way for future crewed missions, furthering scientific exploration and potentially laying the groundwork for future missions to Mars. The world watches with anticipation as NASA prepares for this vital next chapter in lunar exploration.
