NASA Completes Critical SLS Rocket Test Ahead of March Crewed Moon Mission

The American Space Agency announced a full success during the second dress rehearsal, known as a wet dress rehearsal. The test conducted on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida concluded overnight from Thursday to Friday. Engineers managed to pump over 2.8 million liters of liquid oxygen and hydrogen into the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This was a milestone that alleviated concerns that arose after the unsuccessful attempt in early February. At that time, the operation was halted due to a leak in the fuel delivery system, necessitating urgent repairs under time pressure. The success of the operation means the four-person crew of the Artemis II mission can begin procedures directly preceding the flight. According to protocol, the astronauts will enter a two-week quarantine to ensure their optimal health on launch day. Although NASA has not yet indicated the exact launch day, unofficial information suggests it will occur in March 2026. Today's agency press conference is expected to clarify doubts regarding the schedule and present a detailed analysis of data collected during the test. This mission is historically significant as it will be the first crewed flight toward the Moon in over half a century. The Artemis program is the successor to the legendary Apollo program of the 1960s and 70s. Its goal is not only to return humans to the Moon but also to build a permanent lunar base that will serve as a waypoint on the journey to crewed exploration of Mars. It is worth noting that the Artemis II mission does not yet involve landing on the satellite's surface. The crew will perform a flyby around the Moon, testing the life support systems of the Orion spacecraft and communication and navigation capabilities in deep space. Because hydrogen is an extremely difficult substance to store and has the smallest molecules, sealing the installation was a major technological challenge for NASA. The positive conclusion of the tests allows for an optimistic outlook on the future of the American space program and potential dominance in the new race to the Moon. 2.8 mln — liters of fuel pumped into the SLS rocket tanks Artemis II Mission Preparation Status: Fuel Status: Hydrogen leak (February 3) → Full tanking (February 19); Crew Status: Awaiting tests → Pre-launch quarantine; Launch Date: Uncertain → March 2026 (expected)