NASA will make a second attempt to fuel its big rocket Monday [Updated]

Enlarge / NASA's Space Launch System is shown on the launch pad early Monday. (credit: NASA)

April 4 update: NASA did not start fueling operations of its Space Launch System rocket on Sunday, as planned, due to an issue with two fans on the Mobile Launch Tower that supports the vehicle. These fans help clear hazardous gases from enclosed areas of the launch tower. While they had been operating in "normal" mode, NASA officials said the problem occurred when the fans switched to "hazardous operations" mode.

This issue followed a stormy Saturday evening, during which lighting struck the launch site's lightning rods four times. However, NASA said it was unlikely that the fan issue was due to the storms.

Following Sunday's scrub, NASA planned to attempt to complete the wet dress rehearsal test on Monday, during which 700,000 pounds of cryogenic fuel will be loaded onto the rocket. However, operations did not resume as planned, at 7:30 am ET (11:30 UTC), indicating the likelihood of an additional delay. NASA has been targeting 2:40 pm ET (18:40 UTC) for the critical point of the test, reaching T-10 seconds in the launch countdown.

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