NASA has pushed back the rollout Artemis II by one day, now targeting no earlier than Friday, March 20, to move the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Launch Pad 39B. The agency says the one-day slip does not threaten the opportunity for a Wednesday, April 1st, launch attempt. No foolin’.

UPDATE late MArch 17th: NASA has backtracked somewhat:

The delay stems from a late-stage discovery during closeout activities ahead of the originally planned Thursday, March 19, rollout. According to NASA, engineers identified an electrical harness for the flight termination system on the SLS core stage that required replacement. Teams have since resolved the issue and are continuing preparations for rollout later this week.

Over the weekend at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, engineers were completing closeout activities ahead of rollout, previously slated for Thursday, March 19. Teams identified an electrical harness for the flight termination system on the core stage needed replacement. They have since addressed the issue and continue to complete preparations to roll out later this week.

NASA

Once cleared to depart the VAB, the rocket and its mobile launcher will make the slow journey to Pad 39B, a trek that takes about 12 hours. NASA plans to provide a live stream of the rollout for those who cannot watch live here on the Space Coast.

With rollout on March 20 still preserving the front end of the April launch window, all eyes now turn to the weather. Teams are monitoring conditions in the coming days as the program works toward putting four astronauts on a path around the Moon for the first crewed Artemis test flight.