New Delhi: NASA is preparing for the second wet dress rehearsal of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis II mission, a crewed test flight
that will see four astronauts executing a lunar flyby and returning, without landing on the surface. The first partial fueling test on 12 February encountered reduced liquid hydrogen flow, attributed to a suspect filter in ground support equipment. Data from this test supported proceeding with the second full wet dress rehearsal. The rehearsal begins with launch controllers arriving at consoles in the Launch Control Centre at the Kennedy Space Centre Florida, early in the morning on 17 February, initiating a nearly 50-hour countdown.
NASA is targeting 19 February for tanking operations, with a simulated launch late in the evening with a four hour window. The test loads liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen, the cryogenic propellants into the SLS core stage and the interim cryogenic propulsion stage. It includes a full launch countdown, two terminal count runs, with a pause, recycling and tank draining to simulate scrub procedures for technical or weather issues. Although the Artemis II crew is not participating, personnel will practice closeout of the Orion spacecraft at the pad, including the hatch closure.
NASA still aiming to launch in March
NASA is continuing a 24/7 livestream of the rocket, with additional camera feeds available during fuelling. No formal launch date is set at this point of time, which will be done after the successful wet dress rehearsal and completion of the data analysis. NASA officials have indicated 6 March as the earliest feasible launch opportunity, while allowing time for the second wet dress rehearsal, review, and transition of the pad and vehicle to flight configuration. Hydrogen leaks were detected during the first wet dress rehearsal on 3 February. The repairs are being conducted at the launch pad itself, with NASA opting to not roll the rocket back to the vehicle assembly building.
