Final Countdown Tests Ahead
With the rocket now in place, NASA is preparing for a wet dress rehearsal, a full simulation of launch day procedures. During the test, teams will load the rocket with super-cooled liquid hydrogen and oxygen and run through the entire countdown sequence.
The rehearsal, expected within the next two weeks, is designed to verify fueling systems, timing coordination, and emergency procedures. Engineers will also practice safely draining the propellants after the test, a critical requirement before astronauts can be cleared to fly.
NASA officials have indicated that more than one rehearsal may be conducted if needed. Should additional adjustments be required, the rocket could be rolled back to the assembly building for further work before returning to the pad.
Who Is Flying on Artemis II
Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a roughly ten-day mission that will loop around the Moon before returning to Earth. The crew includes NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen.
While the mission will not land on the lunar surface, it will test life-support systems, navigation, and deep-space operations in preparation for future landings later this decade.
