Lightning Hits Launchpad with Giant Rocket [Video]

While NASA continues its preparations for returning to the Moon as part of the Artemis mission after many years, the tests continue for Artemis I, which will be the first phase of this long-term mission. A frightening event occurred during the tests of the SLS rocket, which the space agency will use for the mission, on Saturday.

While the SLS rocket was positioned on NASA’s launch pad, lightning struck the launch pad. Lightning struck just before NASA began performing a dangerous test where lightning wouldn’t do much good. Those moments were reflected on the cameras as follows:

Lightning falling on NASA’s rocket launcher:

First, NASA would perform the ‘wet-dress rehearsal’ test, one of the final tests for the Artemis I mission. Within the scope of this test, the SLS rocket on the ramp would be loaded with fuel, the launch countdown would be up to 10 seconds, and the fuel would be taken back from the rocket by ending the countdown.

The lightning seen above was actually one of four lightning strikes on Saturday. However, according to NASA’s statement, this lightning was the most violent lightning among the four lightning bolts. Fortunately, the lightning did not cause any damage to either the rocket or the rocket launcher, or to cause any mission disruption. On the other hand, the wet-dress rehearsal test was postponed for a few hours due to the better weather conditions.