Nasa teams in Florida are entering a crucial stage of activity as they prepare for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed flight using the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft. At the Kennedy Space Centre, engineers are completing the final steps at the launch pad, linking ground systems, flight hardware and support teams to ensure everything works in unison before liftoff.
Focus on wet dress rehearsal
A key milestone now approaching is the wet dress rehearsal, a comprehensive fuelling and countdown test that imitates launch conditions without astronauts on board. More than seven hundred thousand gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen will be loaded into the SLS rocket during this exercise. It will be the first time the rocket is fully fuelled for Artemis II, giving the engineering team vital data on how different systems function together under real operating pressure.
Countdown and system checks
The test will follow a genuine launch countdown, complete with pauses and restarts that simulate various scenarios. Several runs are scheduled, allowing teams to practise holds and recycled countdowns during the final ten minutes, known as the terminal count. After these simulations, the propellants will be safely drained, an operation that is as important as fuelling for ensuring future launch safety.
Continued hardware inspections
At the same time, engineers remain busy across other parts of the rocket and spacecraft. The solid rocket boosters have been filled with hydrazine, a key component for control functions. Inside Orion, teams have continued packing equipment and carrying out scheduled tasks related to the launch abort system. Checks on the four RS 25 engines and pressure tests inside Orion’s propulsion tanks have been successfully completed, confirming system stability and readiness.
Preparations for cold conditions
Unusually cold weather across Florida has prompted extra work to safeguard the rocket. Environmental control systems are being fine-tuned to maintain the correct temperatures for onboard equipment. Adjustments have also been made to emergency escape baskets, ensuring they reach their full descent range, while further checks on Orion’s water system aiming to correct earlier irregular readings.
Crew readiness and safety focus
Meanwhile, the Artemis II astronauts remain in quarantine in Houston to reduce health risks as the launch nears. Nasa’s teams continue to emphasise consistent progress, steady rehearsals and precise coordination to confirm that every part of the mission can meet the demanding standards required for human spaceflight.
