NASA’s long-awaited return to the moon is expected to go ahead in a matter of hours after months of delays.

Artemis 1 will take-off in Florida at 4pm AEST today in an exciting night launch, weather and technology permitting.

“This is fifth full time they’ve had to reschedule it, based on various things: mechanical issues and weather,” astrophysicist Brad Tucker told 4BC Breakfast. 

“But NASA’s hoping it takes off and they can test their ability to send humans to the moon.”

LIVE NOW: Teams are preparing to launch the @NASA_Orion spacecraft to the Moon aboard the @NASA_SLS rocket. Watch coverage of the rocket fueling process for the #Artemis I mission.

Follow @NASAGroundSys for updates. https://t.co/FO7d5p9xeH

— NASA (@NASA) November 15, 2022

The rocket will make a 1.3 million-mile journey to the Moon, carrying mannequins to prove-out the Orion spacecraft for crewed flights.

“There’s a few just to make sure it all works,” Brad continued. “It’s essentially a complete dress rehearsal and they’ll make sure every system works, it’s safe for humans, all that sort of thing.

“If it does work, they will then send humans to the moon on the second mission, Artemis 2, next year.”

Press PLAY below to hear what caused Artemis 1’s many delays 

Image: NASA