NASA will postpone the upcoming test launch of its Artemis I rocket, the space agency said Tuesday. It marks the fifth time the launch has been delayed.

The new launch date is set for Nov. 16. It had originally been scheduled for Monday. The delay comes following Tropical Storm Nicole threatening Florida's coast which is expected to hit as a Category 1 hurricane Thursday.

"Adjusting the target launch date will allow the workforce to tend to the needs of their families and homes and provide sufficient logistical time to get back into launch status following the storm," NASA officials said in an emailed statement.

The rocket was moved to the launch pad last week and will stay there through the storm as it was built to sustain harsh weather.

The Kennedy Space Station is currently in a "HURCON" which is a hurricane III status and calls for a "ride-out" team which will stay in the facilities to monitor centerwide conditions and the flight hardware for the Artemis I mission, the space center explained.

NASA has also attempted to complete the launch on Aug. 29, Sept. 3 and Sept. 27.

The first two were canceled due to technical issues, while the third was postponed due to Hurricane Ian.

Artemis will fly around the moon on a $4.1 billion mission that is expected to last a little over 25 days, with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on Dec. 9. The mission is NASA's biggest attempt yet to get astronauts back on the moon by 2025.

NASA