NASA recently completed a successful rehearsal for the upcoming Artemis II moon mission, which will involve Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen and NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Christina Koch, and Victor Glover. The rehearsal included a countdown to just past T-minus 30 seconds, indicating readiness for an imminent launch.
Acting associate administrator of the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, Lori Glaze, announced that following a successful wet dress rehearsal, the earliest launch attempt is now set for March 6. However, she emphasized that there is still work to be done before the launch.
The four astronauts will enter a two-week quarantine, with a flight readiness review scheduled at the end of the month. Previous rocket rehearsals encountered issues, particularly with fuel leaks, but the recent rehearsal showed progress in resolving these challenges.
The Artemis II mission involves loading the rocket with liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, with past attempts hampered by hydrogen leaks. The recent rehearsal showed no leaks above the safety threshold, marking a significant milestone in the preparation process.
The Artemis II launch is set for early March, with the mission aimed at testing the Orion spacecraft and conducting experiments around the moon. This mission is a precursor to Artemis III, which will return astronauts to the lunar surface, scheduled for no earlier than 2028.
NASA will hold a media conference to discuss the findings of the wet dress rehearsal on Friday at 11 a.m. ET.
