BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — We’re just days away from the launch of Artemis I, NASA’s uncrewed flight test around the moon.

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Teams are conducting final inspections ahead of this weekend’s call to stations.

NASA has announced that the launch countdown will begin on Saturday, Aug. 27, at 10:23 a.m.

Central Florida’s afternoon storms can always make things a little more difficult, but there’s still time to finish up the remaining work.

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The first integrated flight test of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft on an uncrewed journey around the moon will prepare NASA for future missions with astronauts on board.

VIDEO: NASA, Boeing give update on crewed launch of Starliner spacecraft NASA and Boeing will update the progress of the Starliner spacecraft on Thursday. (Melonie Holt, WFTV.com/WFTV)

“If we launch on Monday, it’s a 42-day mission — much longer than any crewed mission is going to be,” said Doug Hurley, retired NASA astronaut and senior director of business development for Northman Grumman, which built the five-segment, solid rocket boosters for the powerful SLS rocket. “So we’re really stressing the equipment, which I think is good. From an operator standpoint, that’s great.”

READ: Artemis I: 9 things to know about NASA’s mission to return humans to the moon

One of the primary objectives for Artemis I is to demonstrate the Orion heat shield as it returns to Earth for its ability to protect a future crew.

Every wire, every bolt, every piece of the vehicles must be tested to ensure they are safe for the crew.

READ: Brevard County officials: Expect traffic delays on Space Coast for Artemis I launch

Video: Space Coast drivers should expect traffic issues during launch of Artemis I at KSC Tens of thousands of visitors will head to Florida’s Space Coast on Monday for the launch of Artemis I. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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