NASA targets March 6 launch for Artemis II after successful rehearsal

NASA said it is targeting March 6 for the Artemis II crewed mission after a nearly 50-hour Wet Dress Rehearsal that fueled about 730,000 gallons of propellant without the hydrogen leaks seen in an earlier test; officials said remaining checks could still push the date later in the March launch window.

NASA is targeting March 6 for the Artemis II mission, which would carry four astronauts around the moon and back. The agency completed a nearly 50-hour Wet Dress Rehearsal that included fueling the Space Launch System with about 730,000 gallons of propellant. That rehearsal did not reproduce the hydrogen leaks that affected an earlier test. Agency managers said more work remains and the launch date could move later in the March launch window. Key facts: - NASA capped a comprehensive Wet Dress Rehearsal that simulated launch-day countdown operations over roughly 50 hours. - The rehearsal included fueling with about 730,000 gallons of propellant and did not show the hydrogen leaks seen in a prior rehearsal. - Program leaders are targeting a March 6 launch for Artemis II, a crewed circumlunar mission with four astronauts. - Remaining tasks include testing the rocket's flight termination system and conducting a Flight Readiness Review of hardware and procedures. - Officials warned that the remaining preparations could require more time and potentially shift the launch later in March. Summary: The successful rehearsal removed a recent fueling problem from the immediate checklist and marked a milestone in prelaunch work. Final verification steps, including the flight termination test and the Flight Readiness Review, are next, and the planned March 6 date could still change depending on those outcomes.