NASA suspends work on Moon rocket due to coronavirus

NASA said it has suspended work on building and testing the rocket and container for its Artemis kept an eye on strategic the Moon because of the rising number of coronavirus cases in the network. The space office is closing down its Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans, where the Space Launch System rocket is being constructed, and the close by Stennis Space Center, manager Jim Bridenstine said late Thursday.

“The change at Stennis was made because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases in the network around the middle, the quantity of self-seclusion cases inside our workforce there, and one affirmed case among our Stennis crew,” he said. “NASA will incidentally suspend creation and testing of Space Launch System and Orion equipment. The NASA and temporary workers groups will finish an efficient shutdown that places all equipment in a protected condition until work can continue.” The Space Launch System is a ground-breaking profound space rocket to move space travelers to the Moon and past while Orion is the team module.

The infection episode could hit US intends to come back to the Moon by 2024. “We understand there will be effects on NASA missions, however as our groups work to break down the full picture and decrease dangers we comprehend that our top need is the wellbeing and security of the NASA workforce,” Bridenstine said.

A kept an eye on come back to the Moon is the initial segment of the Artemis program to set up a long haul province and test advancements for a manned strategic Mars during the 2030s.