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NASA officials announced on Friday that they are aiming to launch the Artemis II mission around March 6, with four astronauts orbiting the Moon and returning to Earth. This target comes after successfully completing a second major launch rehearsal earlier this week, despite some concerns that remaining preparations could extend the timeline.
The agency concluded a nearly 50-hour rehearsal of the Artemis II launch sequence on Thursday night, during which they fueled the rocket with approximately 730,000 gallons of propellant. This final check was notable for avoiding the hydrogen leaks that previously delayed an earlier rehearsal last month, according to officials at a news briefing.
Program managers reported being pleased with how smoothly the Wet Dress Rehearsal, a detailed simulation of launch day procedures for the Space Launch System, went. However, they cautioned that additional testing and reviews might still push the actual launch date further into NASA’s March schedule.
NASA’s launch director, Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, expressed pride in the team’s progress, saying, “I felt like last night was a big step in us earning our right to fly. Things are looking really good.”
Pending activities include testing the rocket’s flight termination system and holding a comprehensive Flight Readiness Review—a full-day meeting where managers verify all hardware and procedures before liftoff.
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