Following a partial fueling test earlier this month, NASA is preparing for a second attempt at the crucial “wet dress rehearsal” for its Artemis II mission. The space agency has targeted Thursday, Feb. 19, as the primary tanking day for the comprehensive test, which is essential for validating procedures ahead of the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
Over the weekend, engineers successfully replaced a filter within the ground support equipment at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39B. This component was identified as a potential cause for reduced liquid hydrogen flow during the initial test on Feb. 12. While that test was cut short, it provided sufficient data for teams to plan this week’s full rehearsal. With the new filter installed and environmental conditions being restored, the pathway is cleared for a complete run-through of launch operations.
The nearly 50-hour countdown is scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. EST on Monday, Feb. 17, when launch controllers will take their stations in the Launch Control Center. The simulated launch window will open at 8:30 p.m. on Feb. 19, lasting four hours.
During the rehearsal, teams will load supercold liquid propellant into the core stage and upper stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The operation is designed to test the entire launch team’s responsiveness, demonstrating their ability to manage a full countdown, recycle the clock to simulate a scrub, and safely drain the propellants.
A key focus will be on the terminal countdown phase. Controllers will run through the final ten minutes twice. They will pause at T-1 minute and 30 seconds for several minutes before resuming and pausing again at T-33 seconds. After resetting the clock, they will conduct a second terminal run, halting just inside T-30 seconds. This rigorous process mimics real-world scenarios where weather or technical issues could halt a launch.
Although the Artemis II crew—Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen—will not be present, a support team will head to the pad to practice closeout operations, including sealing the Orion spacecraft’s hatches.
While a formal launch date for Artemis II will not be set until after a successful rehearsal and subsequent data reviews, NASA has identified a potential opportunity in early March. Managers have determined that March 6 is the earliest viable option, allowing adequate time for this rehearsal, thorough analysis, and the transition back to full launch operations. A live stream of the rocket at the pad is available 24/7, with additional camera views expected on the day of fueling.
