NASA plans to conduct its second full fueling test, known as the Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR-2), for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This critical step prepares the SLS for the Artemis II mission, the first crewed lunar flyby since Apollo.
The countdown begins Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at 6:40 p.m. EST from Firing Room 1. Teams will load over 700,000 gallons of super-chilled liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) into the SLS core stage and Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) by Thursday, February 19, targeting a simulated liftoff at 8:30 p.m. EST. Controllers aim to reach T-1 minute 30 seconds, hold for three minutes, proceed to T-33 seconds, recycle to T-10 minutes, and run a second terminal count demo.
WDR-1 on February 3 faced hydrogen leaks during fast-fill, halting at T-5:15 due to high airborne concentrations. A February 12 confidence test loaded partial LH2 to check new seals on the Tail Service Mast Umbilical (TSMU), yielding lower leak rates despite ground equipment issues. NASA Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson noted goals include verifying three-minute holds and countdown recycles, skipped in WDR-1.
Artemis II will carry NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and CSA’s Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day Orion test flight around the Moon. March 6 is the earliest launch target, pending successful tests; the SLS stack weighs 11 million pounds. Administrator Jared Isaacman stressed safety, saying no launch until fully ready. Success clears the path for Artemis lunar landings and Mars goals, validating SLS as NASA’s deep-space powerhouse with 8.8 million pounds of thrust.
FAQs [Frequently Asked Questions]
Q1: When does the second fueling test start?
Countdown begins February 17, 2026, at 6:40 p.m. EST, with fueling peaking Thursday, February 19, for a simulated T-0 at 8:30 p.m. EST.
Q2: What caused issues in the first test?
Hydrogen leaks during fast-fill on February 3 stopped countdown at T-5:15; airborne limits exceeded during tank pressurization.
Q3: What are the test objectives?
Demonstrate full fueling, three-minute holds at T-1:30, terminal counts to T-33 seconds, and countdown recycle to T-10 minutes.
Q4: What is Artemis II?
First crewed Orion flight with four astronauts for a 10-day lunar flyby, validating systems; earliest launch March 6, 2026.