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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
As part of the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, NASA teams are performing final preparations and closure of the Orion crew module hatch inside the White Room at Launch Pad 39B. This step simulates launch day procedures, ensuring the spacecraft is sealed and ready for crew to enter Orion for launch. The Artemis II astronauts are […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Editor’s note: This blog post was updated at 4:09 p.m. EST on Feb. 2, 2026, to correct the status of liquid hydrogen operations at the time of posting. Ground teams have resumed loading liquid hydrogen operations into the core stage of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket. Operations were stopped twice after leak rates at […]
