On Monday afternoon, NASA scrubbed the launch of the Artemis I mission.

This happened with the launch countdown paused at 40 minutes. NASA will provide greater clarity regarding its decision later today, at press conference scheduled for 18:00 EDT (00:00 SAST).

However, while we wait for that update NASA has given some context regarding the aborted launch. The problem appears to be related to an inability to bring the engines within the acceptable temperature range.

“The Space Launch System’s four RS-25 engines must be thermally conditioned before super cold propellant begins flowing through them for liftoff. Launch controllers condition them by increasing the pressure on the core stage liquid hydrogen tank to route, or “bleed” as it is often called, a portion of the approximately minus 423 F liquid hydrogen to the engines. Managers suspect the issue, seen on engine 3, is unlikely to be the result of a problem with the engine itself,” NASA wrote in an update.

Engine cooling issues was just one of several problems NASA and its engineers had to battle against on Monday. Aside from storms brewing in the area, a leak in the quick disconnect used to fill and drain liquid hydrogen was discovered as was another in the valve that is used to vent the propellant from the core stage inner tank.

NASA is yet to announce when it’s next launch attempt will take place. The earliest opportunity would be 2nd September for two hours starting at 12:48 EDT (18:48 SAST).