(Cape Canaveral, FL) — NASA is expected to fuel up Artemis II ahead of a wet dress rehearsal at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center. The first potential opportunity to launch is no earlier than Sunday, Feb. 8.
Over the past several days, engineers have been closely monitoring conditions as cold weather and winds move through Florida. Managers have assessed hardware capabilities against the projected forecast given the rare arctic outbreak affecting the state and decided to change the timeline. Teams and preparations at the launch pad remain ready for the wet dress rehearsal. However, adjusting the timeline for the test will position NASA for success during the rehearsal, as the expected weather this weekend would violate launch conditions.
While NASA will wait to set a launch date until teams have reviewed the outcome of the wet dress rehearsal, Friday, Feb. 6, and Saturday, Feb. 7, are no longer viable opportunities. Any additional delays would result in a day for day change.
The Artemis II crew remains in quarantine in Houston. Managers are assessing the timeline for crew arrival.
The opening of a simulated launch window during the wet dress rehearsal begins at 9 p.m. EST, Feb. 2, with the countdown beginning approximately 49 hours prior. NASA will continue to assess weather conditions ahead of the test.
Artemis II will make a trip to the moon, circle but not land, before splashing down in the Pacific.
