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NASA's $93 Billion Moon Rocket Faces Unexpected Enemy: Florida in the 40s

Alexis Thornton

2 hours ago
NASA's Artemis 2 rocket stands at Launch Complex 39B behind a banner signed by employees and contractors. The mission awaits warmer temperatures before attempting humanity's first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years. Photo: NASA/Joel Kowsky

Cape Canaveral, FL – In a twist that sounds almost absurd, NASA's ambitious plan to send astronauts around the moon for the first time in over half a century might be delayed by something as mundane as chilly weather in Florida.

The Sunshine State is living up to its reputation as a place where weather forecasting becomes an extreme sport. This weekend, temperatures in Cape Canaveral are expected to plummet into the 20s overnight, with daytime highs struggling to reach the 50s between January 31 and February 1. For most of the country currently buried under winter storms, that might sound like paradise. For NASA's Artemis 2 launch team, it's a headache.

NASA's Moon Mission Grounded by Florida Cold Snap

NASA's Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft stand illuminated at Launch Complex 39B, waiting for temperatures to rise above the critical 38-49°F no-launch zone before attempting liftoff. (NASA)

Here's the thing about launching multi-billion-dollar spacecraft: there's a Goldilocks zone for everything, and Florida's current weather forecast is decidedly not "just right."


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