NASA Artemis II Rocket Completes Second Fueling Test on February 19, 2026, Before Moon Mission

NASA's Artemis II rocket successfully completed its second wet dress rehearsal on February 19, 2026. This is a major step after a previous attempt was stopped.
By Newsroom | Space Exploration, United States |

NASA has successfully executed a critical practice run for its Artemis II mission, completing a second "wet dress rehearsal" that simulated the fueling and countdown procedures for the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. This achievement marks a significant step toward the agency's goal of sending astronauts on a journey around the Moon. The rehearsal involved powering up the rocket, fueling it with propellants, and proceeding through a simulated launch sequence, bringing the mission closer to its actual launch window.

Second time's a charm! NASA nails its wet dress rehearsal - as the countdown to its historic Artemis II moon mission begins again - 1

The Artemis II mission is designed to be the first crewed flight of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, taking astronauts further into space than humans have traveled before. The wet dress rehearsal is a crucial test to ensure all systems function correctly under simulated launch conditions. Its successful completion allows NASA to move forward with further readiness reviews before committing to a specific launch date.

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Second time's a charm! NASA nails its wet dress rehearsal - as the countdown to its historic Artemis II moon mission begins again - 2

Key Events and Timeline

The recent wet dress rehearsal followed an earlier attempt that was stopped before completion. The timeline of events leading to and including the successful rehearsal is as follows:

Second time's a charm! NASA nails its wet dress rehearsal - as the countdown to its historic Artemis II moon mission begins again - 3

  • February 2, 2026: The first Artemis II wet dress rehearsal was scrubbed approximately five minutes before its scheduled end, due to issues encountered during the countdown and fueling process.

  • February 17, 2026: NASA began the countdown for the second wet dress rehearsal. This process involved powering up various stages of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft, preparing them for the simulated launch.

  • February 19, 2026: The second wet dress rehearsal was conducted, culminating in a successful simulated countdown and fueling of the rocket.

The Purpose of a Wet Dress Rehearsal

A wet dress rehearsal is an integral part of preparing a rocket for launch. It involves the following key activities:

Second time's a charm! NASA nails its wet dress rehearsal - as the countdown to its historic Artemis II moon mission begins again - 4

  • Fueling the Rocket: The SLS rocket's tanks are filled with propellants, primarily liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2), mimicking the conditions just before an actual liftoff.

  • Simulated Countdown: Ground crews and launch teams follow the detailed sequence of events that would occur on launch day, including powering up spacecraft systems, performing checks, and proceeding through various stages of the countdown clock.

  • System Checks: Throughout the process, engineers monitor the rocket's systems for any anomalies, particularly focusing on the integrity of fuel lines and tanks, and ensuring that any leaks remain within safe parameters.

The primary objective is to validate the rocket's systems and the ground support equipment under conditions as close to a real launch as possible, without the crew on board.

Technical Details of the Countdown

The Artemis II wet dress rehearsal involved a complex, multi-stage countdown sequence. Key phases and operations included:

  • Vehicle Power-Up:

  • Orion spacecraft powered up early in the countdown (L-45 hours 30 minutes).

  • Core stage of the SLS rocket powered up (L-42 hours 20 minutes).

  • Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) powered up (L-42 hours 10 minutes).

  • Propellant Loading:

  • Preparation for liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) system fueling begins (L-48 hours 45 minutes).

  • Slow and fast fill phases for both LH2 and LOX for the core stage and ICPS.

  • Replenishment phases to maintain fuel levels as temperatures fluctuate.

  • Terminal Count:

  • The final stages of the countdown, involving critical system configurations like core stage tank pressurization and Orion switching to internal power.

  • A built-in hold of 30 minutes occurs around L-40 minutes.

  • The automated launch sequencer takes control in the final minutes, with any significant issue leading to the conclusion of the launch attempt for that day.

"NASA teams successfully fueled the Artemis II rocket during tonight’s prelaunch test for the lunar mission," stated NASA on X, confirming the successful completion of the recent rehearsal.

Addressing Previous Challenges

The first wet dress rehearsal on February 2nd was aborted with approximately five minutes left in the countdown. Reports indicate that hydrogen leaks were a significant factor in the scrub, a recurring challenge for the SLS program. The success of the second rehearsal suggests that these issues have been adequately addressed or managed within acceptable parameters.

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  • The previous attempt encountered problems that led to its cancellation.

  • The second attempt aimed to rectify the issues that caused the initial scrub.

  • Reports suggest that hydrogen leaks, a known challenge, remained below safe levels during the second rehearsal.

Next Steps for Artemis II

Following a successful wet dress rehearsal, NASA can proceed to:

  • Flight Readiness Review: A comprehensive assessment of the rocket, spacecraft, and ground systems to determine if they are ready for a crewed launch.

  • Commitment to a Launch Date: Once flight readiness is confirmed, NASA can formally announce a specific launch date for the Artemis II mission. The agency has indicated that this successful rehearsal "preserves flexibility in the March launch window."

The Artemis II mission, which will not land on the Moon but will orbit it, is a vital precursor to future lunar landings and eventual missions to Mars.

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did NASA do on February 19, 2026, for the Artemis II mission?
On February 19, 2026, NASA successfully finished its second practice run, called a 'wet dress rehearsal,' for the Artemis II mission. This test involved fueling the large Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and running through a countdown.
Q: Why was the February 19, 2026, test important for Artemis II?
This test is important because it checks if the rocket and its ground systems work correctly, like they would on launch day. It helps make sure the mission is safe for the astronauts who will travel around the Moon.
Q: What happened during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal on February 19, 2026?
During the rehearsal, NASA filled the rocket with fuel, like liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, and ran a countdown to near launch. They checked all the parts to make sure everything was working right.
Q: What happened with the first Artemis II wet dress rehearsal before February 19, 2026?
The first practice run on February 2, 2026, was stopped before it finished because of issues, including problems with hydrogen leaks. The second test on February 19, 2026, was successful, showing these problems were fixed or managed.
Q: What are the next steps for the Artemis II mission after the successful rehearsal on February 19, 2026?
After this successful test, NASA will review everything to make sure the rocket and spacecraft are ready for astronauts. This will help them pick a final launch date for the mission to fly around the Moon.