Autumn is a time of hurricanes. The planned launch of an SLS launch vehicle with Orion to the Moon on 27 September could explode as a result of a storm in the Caribbean. If the wind is large, the missile would have to be taken to the assembly shop. This would undermine the launch dates of 27 September and 2 October.
The other day, the long- suffering SLS rocket was finally able to refuel cryogenic fuel, although no excession was involved, and NASA was granted the long-awaited permission from the US Space Force, which controls the Eastern Missile Launch Zone, to extend the end-of-flight certification period, traditionally for 20 days, but was granted an exception of 5 days to allow the launch to enter the window on 5 September.
Today on the 24 September calendar, the initial certification deadline is double, but this did not prevent the regulator from allowing NASA to launch both on 27 September and in the emergency window on 2 October, without a new certification of the crash system.
The weather may be bad to prevent the launch. A powerful hurricane is forming in the region, and if the forecast is negative, the missile will have to be driven under the cover of the walls of the assembly shop. It is necessary to take the missile ahead of time, because the missile will not be able to withstand as much wind as it is stationary during the course of its travel. On the launch table, the maximum wind speed should not exceed 137 km/h and in motion should not exceed 74 km/h. The decision must be taken on the basis of a rather early warning, and it will decide the fate of the launch. If the missile goes to the hangar, it will not even be possible on 2 October. The decision to transport should be taken within the next few hours.