• The Space Launch System rocket, with the Orion spacecraft aboard. Nasa has moved its Artemis 1 Moon rocket back to the pad for a launch attempt on November 14. All photos: Nasa
    The Space Launch System rocket, with the Orion spacecraft aboard. Nasa has moved its Artemis 1 Moon rocket back to the pad for a launch attempt on November 14. All photos: Nasa
  • The Space Launch System will blast off into space, carrying the Orion spacecraft, as part of the Artemis 1 mission.
    The Space Launch System will blast off into space, carrying the Orion spacecraft, as part of the Artemis 1 mission.
  • Artemis 1 is an uncrewed test flight to the Moon, which will measure the rocket and Orion spacecraft's performance.
    Artemis 1 is an uncrewed test flight to the Moon, which will measure the rocket and Orion spacecraft's performance.
  • Artemis 1 is the first of many flights planned under the Artemis programme by Nasa, which aims to build a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
    Artemis 1 is the first of many flights planned under the Artemis programme by Nasa, which aims to build a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
  • In a 10-hour journey, the Space Launch System was moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Launch Pad 39B at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre.
    In a 10-hour journey, the Space Launch System was moved from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the Launch Pad 39B at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre.
  • If the flight is successful, it will help the space agency move its plans for the Artemis programme forward.
    If the flight is successful, it will help the space agency move its plans for the Artemis programme forward.
  • The first crewed flight, Artemis 2, is planned for 2024 and will see astronauts orbit the Moon. Artemis 3, the first human lunar landing mission under the programme, has been delayed until 2025.
    The first crewed flight, Artemis 2, is planned for 2024 and will see astronauts orbit the Moon. Artemis 3, the first human lunar landing mission under the programme, has been delayed until 2025.

Nasa's $4.1bn Artemis 1 Moon rocket to stay on launch pad despite storm Nicole


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

Nasa will keep the Artemis 1 Moon rocket on its launch pad even though subtropical storm Nicole is approaching Florida.

Weather forecasts show the storm could turn into a hurricane by the time it hits south-east Florida later this week.

The $4.1 billion Artemis rocket called Space Launch System, with the Orion spacecraft on top of it, was moved to a launch pad at the Kennedy Space Centre on November 4 ahead of a launch attempt on November 14.

Nasa said in a statement on Monday that it was monitoring the weather event.

“Nasa is working with US Space Force and the National Hurricane Centre to monitor Subtropical Storm Nicole,” the US space agency said.

“Based on current forecast data, managers have determined the Space Launch System rocket and Orion will remain at Launch Pad 39B.

“Teams at Kennedy will continue to monitor the weather, make sure all personnel are safe, and will evaluate the status of the Monday, November 14, launch attempt for the Artemis 1 mission as we proceed and receive updated predictions about the weather.”

The Atlantic hurricane season will run until November 30.

Artemis 1 is an uncrewed test flight around the Moon that will measure the rocket and Orion spacecraft's performance.

If successful, it would pave the way for the Artemis programme, which aims to build a long-term human presence on the Moon.

Nasa had rolled the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building in September when Hurricane Ian had struck the US state.

Two previous attempts to launch the rocket have failed because of technical problems, including a hydrogen leak.

There are backup dates of November 16 and 19 if the November 14 launch attempt is not possible.

RACE CARD

6.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,900m

7.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh102,500 (D) 2,000m

8.15pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,600m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m

Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

Tightening the screw on rogue recruiters

The UAE overhauled the procedure to recruit housemaids and domestic workers with a law in 2017 to protect low-income labour from being exploited.

 Only recruitment companies authorised by the government are permitted as part of Tadbeer, a network of labour ministry-regulated centres.

A contract must be drawn up for domestic workers, the wages and job offer clearly stating the nature of work.

The contract stating the wages, work entailed and accommodation must be sent to the employee in their home country before they depart for the UAE.

The contract will be signed by the employer and employee when the domestic worker arrives in the UAE.

Only recruitment agencies registered with the ministry can undertake recruitment and employment applications for domestic workers.

Penalties for illegal recruitment in the UAE include fines of up to Dh100,000 and imprisonment

But agents not authorised by the government sidestep the law by illegally getting women into the country on visit visas.

MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW

Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

Rating: 3.5/5

Who has been sanctioned?

Daniella Weiss and Nachala
Described as 'the grandmother of the settler movement', she has encouraged the expansion of settlements for decades. The 79 year old leads radical settler movement Nachala, whose aim is for Israel to annex Gaza and the occupied West Bank, where it helps settlers built outposts.

Harel Libi & Libi Construction and Infrastructure
Libi has been involved in threatening and perpetuating acts of aggression and violence against Palestinians. His firm has provided logistical and financial support for the establishment of illegal outposts.

Zohar Sabah
Runs a settler outpost named Zohar’s Farm and has previously faced charges of violence against Palestinians. He was indicted by Israel’s State Attorney’s Office in September for allegedly participating in a violent attack against Palestinians and activists in the West Bank village of Muarrajat.

Coco’s Farm and Neria’s Farm
These are illegal outposts in the West Bank, which are at the vanguard of the settler movement. According to the UK, they are associated with people who have been involved in enabling, inciting, promoting or providing support for activities that amount to “serious abuse”.

Company Fact Box

Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019

Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO

Based: Amman, Jordan

Sector: Education Technology

Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed

Stage: early-stage startup 

Investors: Adam Tech Ventures, Endure Capital, Equitrust, the World Bank-backed Innovative Startups SMEs Fund, a London investment fund, a number of former and current executives from Uber and Netflix, among others.

Results

Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent

Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent

Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent

Updated: November 08, 2022, 10:22 AM