NASA schedules 'wet' dress rehearsal for Artemis II mission

NASA will attempt a 'wet' dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center as soon as Jan. 31 to fuel the Space Launch System rocket and run a simulated countdown; a successful test would support a planned Artemis II launch in early February.

NASA plans to perform a "wet" dress rehearsal for the Artemis II mission at Kennedy Space Center as soon as Jan. 31, the agency said. Engineers will load the Space Launch System rocket with cryogenic propellant and run through a simulated countdown. The rehearsal is intended to exercise fueling procedures and launch-pad operations ahead of the crewed flight. If the test proceeds without significant problems, NASA is targeting an Artemis II launch in the first week of February. Key details: - The test will be carried out at Kennedy Space Center and involves fueling an uncrewed SLS rocket and the Orion stack. - Technicians will load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic fuel, specifically liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, and simulate a countdown to launch. - If problems are found, the SLS and Orion could be rolled back from the pad for additional work, as occurred after liquid hydrogen leaks during Artemis I testing in 2022. - NASA is also testing Orion's onboard water systems; initial samples showed higher-than-expected levels of total organic carbon, the agency reported. - Officials have adjusted the launch-pad emergency exit system made up of gondola-like baskets for crew and pad staff safety. - Weather and cooler temperatures (low 40s Fahrenheit) at the Space Center were noted as factors that could affect timing; NASA said it is prepared for the conditions. Summary: The wet dress rehearsal is a key verification step to check fueling, countdown procedures and onboard systems before a planned crewed Artemis II flight. NASA will evaluate the results and may pause launch preparations if issues are found; the agency has cited a launch window in early February as the current target.