A second fueling test of NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket concluded successfully on Thursday night, allowing officials to plan for the launch of four astronauts around the Moon, potentially on March 6.
This test, conducted at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, showed improvements over the first attempt on February 2, which had encountered significant hydrogen leaks. Technicians replaced seals after repairs earlier this month, and during Thursday’s countdown, the new seals functioned effectively.
Lori Glaze, acting associate administrator for NASA’s exploration programs, stated, “For the most part, those fixes all performed pretty well yesterday.” She confirmed that the SLS rocket was fully fueled within the intended timeline.
The positive outcome keeps the Artemis II mission on track for a March launch. Earlier this month, NASA abandoned several launch opportunities in February due to ongoing hydrogen leak issues during the first Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR).
“We’re now targeting March 6 as our earliest launch attempt,” Glaze added. However, she cautioned that additional work remains before the launch can occur.
If all preparations are completed, the Artemis II liftoff could happen within a two-hour window starting at 8:29 pm EST on March 6 (01:29 UTC on March 7). Alternative launch dates on March 7, 8, 9, and 11 are also available, but a delay until April is possible. The launch depends on various factors, including the Moon’s position.
The Artemis II mission will last between nine and ten days, sending NASA’s Orion spacecraft, piloted by Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, around the far side of the Moon and back to Earth, where it will splash down in the Pacific Ocean. This mission aims to set a record for the farthest humans have travelled from Earth since 1972.
