Thousands depart Cape Canaveral after Artemis 1 test launch scrubbed

The people who have traveled all the way to Cape Canaveral to get as close as possible to the Artemis 1 rocket launch were left disappointed after it was scrubbed due to hydrogen fuel leaks, bad weather and trouble cooling one of the main rocket engines. The next launch opportunity is Friday afternoon.

The scheduled launch brought people from all over the U.S. and beyond to the Space Coast. Thousands of people poured into Port Canaveral from cruise ships early Monday morning. The gates opened at 5 a.m., allowing a flood of car traffic.

WINK News spoke to a mother and daughter from Fort Pierce who say they couldn’t sit at home for what they thought would be the first launch they have ever seen in person.

“Seeing a beautiful shot and the thrill of just feeling it, you know?” said Sherry Brown. “I’ve heard it kind of has a vibration.”

“From Fort Lauderdale, you just see a little bit,” said Kim Brown. “From here, hopefully, we see the ship.”

The Browns say this might become a new hobby for them. Next time, they plan to bring out the whole family.

A Collier County teacher wanted her students to be involved in Monday’s scheduled launch. Kathy Schroeder teaches at Palmetto Ridge High School, located at 1655 Victory Lane in Orangetree. She plans to show the launch to her class.

“I want them to see that there’s so much potential of what is going on with this launch, and how going forward in 2024 with Artemis 2, and going forward with the Artemis 3 launch and actually having the first female walk on the moon, that anything is possible,” Schroeder said. “Any dreams that they have, they can put into reality and see that it can happen.”

Schroeder says her classroom windows face directly toward the Kennedy Space Center, so her students would have gotten the best possible view.

Submit