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NASA targets Feb. 19 for second Artemis II wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel SLS/Orion

NASA is targeting Feb. 19 for a second wet dress rehearsal to fully fuel the Space Launch System and Orion in advance of the Artemis II test flight. Engineers at the Florida launch site will attempt another full countdown and propellant load — more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen.

Discovered 2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00 | 2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The second full SLS/Orion fueling — loading more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and oxygen — is the last full countdown rehearsal before Artemis II; its success directly affects mission readiness and schedule planning for the crewed lunar flyby [source:472d24d6-fae1-4eab-b8bd-32ded112b613].
  • A completed wet dress rehearsal validates pad systems, cryogenic transfer procedures and launch countdown operations that underpin the integrated vehicle stack and recent assembly work [source:c4a89a2c-e408-4b42-ae3c-14a4ad905b19].
  • The fact this is a second attempt underscores the complexity of full-propellant loading at scale and the operational risk that remains to the Artemis II test-flight timeline; metrics from this test will drive any near-term schedule or procedural adjustments.

Reported By

Independent.ie MercoPress Live Science cavenewstimes.com webpronews.com aa.com.tr
Sources Tracked
92
First Seen
2026-02-16T16:36:23.392567-08:00
Latest Update
2026-02-20T22:00:56.189783-08:00
Coverage
Space

Sources

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