NASA just fueled up its Artemis 2 moon rocket in 2nd critical test. Was it a success? (It sure looked like it.)

NASA completed a critical test of its Artemis 2 moon rocket on Thursday, February 19, potentially keeping the mission on schedule for a launch as early as March. The two-day “wet dress rehearsal” (WDR) at Kennedy Space Center in Florida involved practicing operations leading up to liftoff.

Preparing for Lunar Return

The WDR put the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion capsule, ground equipment, and mission teams through a comprehensive series of checks. This is designed to ensure readiness for the actual launch. The Artemis 2 mission will carry four astronauts – Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency – on a 10-day journey around the moon and back to Earth.

Did You Know? Artemis 2 will be the first human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo missions concluded in 1972.

Addressing Past Challenges

The previous Artemis mission, Artemis 1, successfully sent an uncrewed Orion capsule to lunar orbit and back in late 2022. That flight experienced delays due to leaks of liquid hydrogen (LH2) during ground testing. A similar issue arose during the initial attempt at the Artemis 2 WDR on February 2, with a leak detected from an interface with the tail service mast.

Following the initial leak, the Artemis 2 team replaced two seals and conducted a partial fueling test on February 12, which proved successful. Thursday’s test saw the successful filling of the SLS’s two stages with 730,000 gallons (2.76 million liters) of supercold LH2 and liquid oxygen, without exceeding safety limits.

Looking Ahead

The WDR also included closing the Orion crew module hatch and verifying the security of the capsule’s emergency-escape system. Teams ran through a “terminal count” twice, simulating the final countdown sequence to T-33 seconds and then T-29 seconds. A brief pause occurred during the second terminal count due to a “booster avionics system voltage anomaly,” but the WDR was ultimately completed at 10:16 p.m. EST.

Expert Insight: Successfully completing the wet dress rehearsal, despite previous challenges with hydrogen leaks, demonstrates NASA’s commitment to rigorous testing and problem-solving. This is crucial for ensuring the safety and success of a mission carrying a human crew beyond Earth orbit.

NASA is scheduled to hold a press conference on Friday at 11 a.m. EST to discuss the WDR results and the future plans for Artemis 2. A launch within the window of March 6 to March 9, including March 11, remains a possibility, with a subsequent window opening in early April.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of the Artemis 2 mission?

The Artemis 2 mission will send four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon and back to Earth. It will be the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis programme and the first human spaceflight beyond low Earth orbit since 1972.

What caused the delay in the first Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal?

The first Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal was cut short after detecting a leak of liquid hydrogen, which originated from an interface with the tail service mast.

What is a “terminal count”?

During a terminal count, automated systems take control of countdown operations, final checks of flight computers, engine bleed systems, and ground support equipment occur, and the rocket transitions to internal power, proceeding toward a simulated engine start.

As NASA prepares for a potential launch in March, what aspects of space exploration do you find most compelling?