Navigating the countdown to a historic lunar mission, NASA's Space Launch System rocket achieved a significant milestone during a wet dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, reaching T-minus 29 seconds. This two-day trial allowed for vital checks of the rocket and the Orion crew capsule, essential for the upcoming Artemis 2 mission, which aims to send astronauts around the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
While the crew was absent from the launch pad, NASA astronaut Reid Wiseman, the mission's commander, monitored the rehearsal from Launch Control. The crew is set to enter quarantine this week in preparation for their flight, which includes Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
The rehearsal followed an initial attempt on February 2 that was halted due to a liquid hydrogen leak. This evening's countdown faced a brief disruption due to a “booster avionics system voltage anomaly,” but resumed successfully. After reconfiguring the fueling system, the launch team completed a smoother second countdown, concluding the rehearsal. A news briefing is scheduled for 11 a.m. ET on Friday to discuss the results.
Pending review of the rehearsal outcomes, NASA may proceed with the Artemis 2 mission, which could launch as soon as March 6.