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Artemis

Viewing Posts from February 2026

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Closeout Crew Departs Launch Complex 39B

    Lights illuminate NASA’s Artemis II SLS (Space Launch System) rocket and Orion spacecraft at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on 01/17/2026. In the coming days, engineers will prepare for the wet dress rehearsal, a two-day test that simulates launch day. The Artemis II test flight will take Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialist Christina Koch from NASA, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen from the CSA (Canadian Space Agency), around the Moon and back to Earth no later than April 2026.

    NASA’s Artemis II closeout crew has completed its critical tasks and departed NASA Kennedy’s Launch Complex 39B during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal.   The departure of the closeout crew marks the transition to the final countdown phase, ensuring the launch pad is clear and safe for simulated liftoff procedures. Although the Artemis II astronauts did not […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Launch Abort System Hatch Closed

    A full Moon is seen shining over NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher in the early hours of February 1, 2026. The rocket is currently at Launch Pad 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, as teams are preparing for a wet dress rehearsal to practice timelines and procedures for the launch of Artemis II.

    NASA teams completed closing the launch abort system hatch during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, simulating final launch day procedures. The launch abort system hatch provides access to the Orion crew module through the outer aeroshell of the launch abort system and must be securely sealed to ensure crew safety during ascent.  Closing the launch abort […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Closeout Work in White Room Continues

    Artemis Logo - red rocket trail, blue arch that represents earth, ARTEMIS text, gray half sphere on a white background

    The Artemis II wet dress rehearsal entered the T-10 minute hold in the simulated countdown at 8:50 p.m. EST. Though it had been counting down to the opening of a simulated launch window at 9 p.m. EST Monday, Feb. 2, the test will proceed as teams continue to work through countdown milestones. The closeout crew […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Closeout Crew Departs to White Room 

    As part of the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, NASA’s Artemis II closeout crew and pad rescue team are en route to Launch Pad 39B. The closeout crew will head to the White Room inside the crew access arm on the mobile launcher and are responsible for securing the Orion spacecraft and ensuring all access […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: All SLS Stages in Replenish Mode 

    NASA teams have transitioned all cryogenic tanks on the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket to replenish mode during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal. This includes both liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks for the core stage and the interim cryogenic propulsion stage. Engineers continue to monitor liquid hydrogen concentration levels in the tail service mast umbilical, where a leak […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: SLS Upper Stage Liquid Hydrogen Topping Underway

    Following the vent and relief test on the interim cryogenic propulsion stage (ICPS) liquid hydrogen tank, NASA teams have entered the topping phase of fueling liquid hydrogen. The vent and relief test verifies that the vent and relief valves operate correctly to maintain safe pressure levels inside the upper stage liquid hydrogen tank, while topping ensures the upper […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Tanking Operations Progressing

    Fueling of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket is proceeding on all fronts, following earlier pauses on liquid hydrogen flows. Liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen in the core stage are in the replenish phase. Liquid oxygen has also reached the replenish stage on the upper stage. Replenish mode keeps the tank at flight-ready levels by […]

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    Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: Core Stage Liquid Hydrogen in Topping Mode

    Artemis Logo - red rocket trail, blue arch that represents earth, ARTEMIS text, gray half sphere on a white background

    NASA teams have completed filling the core stage of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with liquid hydrogen and transitioned to topping mode. Topping ensures the tank reaches its full capacity with super-cold liquid hydrogen chilled to minus 423 degrees Fahrenheit. Engineers continue to watch the leak at the interface of the tail service mast […]

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