NASA begins critical fueling test for Artemis 2 moon rocket

NASA begins critical fueling test for moon rocket

NASA has begun the critical fueling portion of a second prelaunch test for its Artemis 2 moon rocket. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket entered hour 36 of its roughly 50-hour wet dress rehearsal today, with teams aiming for a simulated liftoff this evening.

The test is a full countdown simulation designed to verify the rocket's readiness for an actual crewed launch. A successful test could put the mission on track for a launch attempt as early as March 6.

Rocket faces repeat of past leak problems

Ground teams at Kennedy Space Center are working to load the SLS with about 730,000 gallons of supercold propellant. The operation is a major focus because of problems during the first test attempt on February 2nd.

That test ended prematurely due to liquid hydrogen leaks at a connection point called the tail service mast quick disconnect. This same component caused multiple leaks and delays during the uncrewed Artemis 1 launch campaign in 2022.

NASA says hardware modifications and improved procedures from the Artemis 1 experience should help manage the thermal conditions of fueling and avoid similar issues this time.

Test timeline targets evening simulated launch

The wet dress rehearsal is scheduled to run through a simulated liftoff at 8:30 p.m. EST tonight, with a window extending as late as 12:30 a.m. EST on February 20th. The complex timeline for today includes:

• A "go/no-go" poll to begin tanking at approximately 9:50 a.m. EST.
• Core stage liquid hydrogen "slow fill" starting about an hour later.
• Fueling and cool-down operations lasting until 3:30 p.m. EST.
• A planned countdown hold as propellant lines enter a replenishing phase.

If tanking is successful, the test will proceed through simulated launch scenarios, including holds, scrub conditions, and detanking the rocket.

Mission will send crew around the moon

Artemis 2 is the first crewed mission of NASA's Artemis program. It will send four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon and back, marking the first human lunar voyage since Apollo.

The crew flying aboard the Orion capsule includes:

• NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch.
• Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.

NASA is providing a commentary-free, 24-hour livestream of the rocket during the test on its YouTube channel and on Space.com.

Launch windows depend on test success

Officials stress they must review all data from this wet dress rehearsal before setting an official launch date. The upcoming potential launch periods are dictated by orbital mechanics and the phase of the moon.

The first opportunity is a window from March 6 through March 9, which also includes March 11. A subsequent window opens at the beginning of April, with further opportunities fluctuating around the start and end of each following month.

A successful test today is the key hurdle to keeping the mission on schedule for its earliest possible launch attempt in March.