BackSpace Exploration
NASA Artemis 2 Wet Dress Rehearsal Fueling Test
NASA conducted a critical wet dress rehearsal countdown test for the Space Launch System rocket on February 2, 2026, to rehearse fueling procedures and launch operations before the Artemis 2 crewed lunar mission. The test involved loading over 750,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant into the rocket's tanks and conducting a simulated countdown to prepare for the earliest launch date of February 8, 2026.
Why It Matters
This fueling test is essential for qualifying the Space Launch System rocket to carry astronauts on the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. The test validates the rocket's propellant systems and ensures the launch team is prepared for actual flight operations. Success determines the official launch date for the Artemis 2 mission with four astronauts.
Timeline
8 Events
Artemis 2 Launch Window Opens
February 8, 2026 at 9 p.m. EST or later
Assuming successful completion of the wet dress rehearsal, NASA targeted February 8, 2026 (Super Bowl Sunday) as the earliest launch date for the Artemis 2 mission. The four astronauts in the Orion capsule—Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—were scheduled to launch on a lunar flyby mission lasting approximately 10 days.
Propellant Draining and Data Review
February 3, 2026
Following the simulated countdown, the launch team drained the propellant from the rocket's tanks and began reviewing all data collected during the fueling test to verify the integrity of the propellant system and prepare for setting an official target launch date.
Simulated Launch Time and Terminal Countdown
February 2, 2026 at 9 p.m. EST
The wet dress rehearsal reached its simulated launch time at 9 p.m. EST on Monday, February 2, with the test scheduled to continue through approximately 1 a.m. EST on February 3, 2026. The team conducted a full launch countdown demonstration including the ability to recycle the countdown clock and practice scrub procedures.
Propellant Loading Operations Begin
February 2, 2026 at 11 a.m. EST
Launch controllers began pumping more than 750,000 gallons of supercold liquid oxygen and hydrogen fuel into the Space Launch System rocket's two stages. The 177-foot-tall core stage and 45-foot-tall Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage were to be fully loaded and in 'replenish' mode by approximately 4:30 p.m. EST.
49-Hour Countdown Begins
February 1, 2026 at 8:13 p.m. EST
NASA began the 49-hour countdown toward the fueling test on Saturday evening at 8:13 p.m. EST, with launch flight controllers and pad engineers taking their stations. The countdown was scheduled to reach a simulated launch time of 9 p.m. EST on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Artemis 2 Wet Dress Rehearsal Originally Scheduled
January 31, 2026
NASA originally planned to conduct the wet dress rehearsal on January 31, 2026, but delayed the test by two days due to predicted arctic weather conditions along Florida's Space Coast.
SLS Rocket Moved to Launch Pad 39B
January 2026
The 322-foot Space Launch System rocket was moved to launch pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center approximately two weeks before the scheduled February 2 fueling test.
Artemis 1 WDR Test - First Full Fueling Achievement
June 20, 2022
NASA successfully completed the Artemis 1 wet dress rehearsal, fully fueling both stages of the Space Launch System rocket for the first time and reaching T-29 seconds in the countdown. The test encountered a hydrogen leak in a quick disconnect at the tail service mast but the launch team masked the data to proceed with the countdown to the terminal phase.