NASA has moved a step closer to sending astronauts back toward the Moon, beginning a critical countdown simulation for the Artemis II mission at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The test, known as a wet dress rehearsal, marks the final major systems check before the first crewed lunar mission in more than five decades.
The rehearsal began late January 31, when launch controllers initiated a simulated countdown roughly 48 hours ahead of a planned test “launch” time. The exercise is designed to mirror real launch conditions as closely as possible, including loading cryogenic propellants into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and running through key procedures used on launch day.
What the Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal Involves
During the test, engineers will fuel the SLS rocket with liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen while monitoring performance, safety systems, and communication links between ground teams and flight controllers. The countdown simulation is scheduled to reach a mock liftoff time on February 2, allowing NASA teams to verify readiness across multiple systems.
The rehearsal was originally planned for late January but was postponed because of cold weather at the Florida launch site. That delay has also pushed back the earliest possible launch date for Artemis II. NASA now says the mission will lift off no earlier than February 8, pending successful completion of all tests and final reviews.
