NASA’s Artemis II mission faces hurdles; an equipment issue hampered a critical rocket test, but despite setbacks, March could still see astronauts orbit the moon.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA engineers are analyzing data from a recent test of the Space Launch System rocket as the agency works toward the Artemis II moon mission, with March remaining the earliest potential launch window.
Teams conducted a confidence test on Thursday, partially filling the rocket’s core stage liquid hydrogen tank to assess newly replaced seals in the propellant filling area, NASA said in a statement.
During the test, operators encountered an issue with ground support equipment that reduced liquid hydrogen flow into the rocket. Despite the problem, teams said they gained confidence in several key test objectives and collected data at core stage interfaces where a leak occurred during a previous wet dress rehearsal.
Engineers plan to purge the line over the weekend to ensure proper environmental conditions and inspect the ground support equipment. A filter suspected of causing the reduced flow will be replaced, according to NASA.
The agency will examine the test findings before establishing a timeline for the next test — a second wet dress rehearsal planned for this month. A wet dress rehearsal is a full practice countdown that includes loading propellant into the rocket.
NASA said March remains the earliest potential launch window for Artemis II, which will send astronauts around the moon for the first time in more than 50 years.
The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface and establish a long-term presence on and around the moon.