The American Space Agency has successfully conducted the second fueling test of the Space Launch System rocket at Cape Canaveral. The 'wet dress rehearsal' test concluded successfully on February 19, 2026, paving the way for setting a date for the crewed flight around the Moon. After eliminating hydrogen leak issues that halted the previous test earlier in the month, NASA is preparing astronauts for a launch planned for March.
Fueling Test Completed
NASA successfully filled the SLS rocket tanks with liquid hydrogen and oxygen, conducting a full pre-launch countdown without technical disruptions.
Hydrogen Leak Repair
Engineers eliminated problems with leaking supply lines, which prevented the completion of the previous test in early February.
Quarantine for the Crew
Four astronauts assigned to the Artemis II mission have begun mandatory isolation, signaling the transition to the final phase of preparations.
The American Space Agency (NASA) announced the full success of a key dress rehearsal before the Artemis II mission. On Thursday, February 19, 2026, engineers conducted a complex fueling test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This process, known as wet dress rehearsal, involves filling the tanks with liquid hydrogen and oxygen and performing a full countdown up to the moment just before engine ignition. The successful completion of the test is a milestone in the Artemis program. The last time a human walked on the Moon's surface was in 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission. The Artemis program marks a return to exploring Earth's satellite after over half a century, utilizing the most powerful rocket in the agency's history. The previous attempt, made on February 3, was halted due to a detected leak in the hydrogen supply lines to the rocket's core stage. Engineers had to work under immense time pressure to fix the faults and prepare the system for another trial. During Thursday's test, all procedures went according to plan, and the technical team even managed to check the seal integrity of the Orion spacecraft hatches after the support crew entered. This success removed the last technical barriers before the crewed mission. The four astronauts participating in the expedition have already begun their quarantine period. 14 dni — remaining until the expected mission launch window The final launch date for the Artemis II mission is to be announced during a press conference this Friday. Current estimates point to March 2026. This will be the first mission in over 50 years where four people will be in the immediate vicinity of the Moon. The mission's goal is not landing, but precisely testing life support systems in deep space, which forms the foundation for the subsequent Artemis III mission, planned to land on the lunar surface. Artemis II Mission Timeline: February 19, 2026 — Successful SLS rocket fueling test; February 20, 2026 — NASA press conference and launch date announcement; March 2026 — Planned launch window for crewed mission