NASA Artemis Rocket Launch Target Moves to March After Successful Wet Dress Rehearsal
Florida:
NASA has completed a critical wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis II mission, marking a major milestone toward the next NASA Artemis rocket launch. The space agency successfully fueled the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, completed Orion spacecraft closeout operations, and safely drained the vehicle after the test.
The wet dress rehearsal simulated launch-day procedures and allowed engineers to identify technical issues ahead of flight. As a result, NASA will now target March as the earliest possible launch window for Artemis II.
Key Objectives Met Despite Technical Challenges
During the two-day test, engineers worked through several challenges while meeting many planned objectives. Importantly, teams fully loaded cryogenic propellant into the rocket’s core stage and interim cryogenic propulsion stage.
However, cold weather at Kennedy Space Center delayed tanking operations. Engineers needed additional time to bring several interfaces to acceptable temperatures before fueling could begin.
Liquid Hydrogen Leak Delays Countdown | NASA Artemis rocket launch
During propellant loading, teams detected a liquid hydrogen leak in an interface that routes fuel into the core stage. Consequently, engineers paused the countdown to troubleshoot the issue.
They stopped the propellant flow, warmed the interface to reseat seals, and adjusted fuel flow rates. Although teams resolved the issue enough to proceed, the leak rate later spiked during terminal countdown operations. Therefore, the ground launch sequencer automatically halted the countdown at about five minutes remaining.
Orion Closeout and Additional Technical Issues
After the tanking, a team of five members went to the launch pad to finish the closeout of the Orion spacecraft. However, a valve associated with the pressurization of the crew hatch needed retorquing, thus adding to the timeline.
Additionally, cold weather impacted some cameras and ground equipment. Although these problems did not cause a halt in the test, the team realized that they would need to be addressed on the day of the launch. Furthermore, audio communication dropouts recurred.
Launch Timeline Adjustment Impacts Crew Quarantine
Because NASA moved off a February launch window, the Artemis II astronauts will exit quarantine. They entered quarantine in Houston on January 21 and will reenter it about two weeks before the next targeted launch date.
The Artemis II crew includes Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency.
Safety Remains Top Priority | NASA Artemis rocket launch
With March now under consideration, NASA teams will review test data in detail. They will mitigate all identified issues before announcing an official launch date.
Ultimately, NASA stressed that crew safety remains the highest priority. The Artemis II mission will mark the first crewed flight of the Artemis program around the Moon and a key step toward future lunar landings.
