NASA said Friday it is aiming for a March 6 liftoff of its Artemis II mission, which will send four astronauts on a journey around the Moon and back. The tentative launch date follows a successful second “wet dress rehearsal” this week, though officials cautioned that final preparations could still require additional time.
Late Thursday, the agency wrapped up a nearly 50-hour countdown simulation at Kennedy Space Center, loading roughly 730,000 gallons of super-cold propellant into the Space Launch System rocket. Unlike last month’s attempt, which was plagued by stubborn hydrogen leaks, this rehearsal proceeded without major fueling issues — a significant milestone for the program.
Artemis managers described the smooth test as a major confidence boost. The wet dress rehearsal replicates the final hours of launch day, allowing engineers and ground crews to practice every step short of ignition. Its success brings NASA closer to clearing the rocket for flight, though teams emphasized that critical reviews still lie ahead.
“I felt like last night was a big step in us earning our right to fly,” said launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson. “It felt really good. Very proud of the team.”
Before committing to launch, engineers must complete testing of the rocket’s flight termination system — a key safety feature — and conduct a comprehensive Flight Readiness Review. During that day-long meeting, agency leaders scrutinize every aspect of the hardware and mission plan to ensure the vehicle and crew are ready for liftoff.
If all remaining checks proceed as planned, Artemis II will mark NASA’s first crewed voyage around the Moon in more than 50 years, paving the way for future lunar landings under the Artemis program.