Artemis II Rocket Passes Key Fueling Test Ahead of Planned March Launch

NASA carried out a second wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis II Space Launch System rocket at Launch Pad 39B, Kennedy Space Center, successfully loading cryogenic propellants with minimal hydrogen leakage. The test followed earlier technical issues that had delayed the mission’s timeline.

During this latest rehearsal, engineers replaced seals and cleared a clogged filter to resolve hydrogen leak problems detected in a previous test. The improvements allowed the team to complete the fueling process, which had been interrupted during the earlier attempt due to a leak and a valve issue in the Orion crew module hatch pressurization system.

NASA previously postponed the Artemis II launch from early February to March 2026 after encountering the hydrogen leak and valve issue during the first wet dress rehearsal on February 2, 2026. The Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft were moved to the launch pad on January 17, 2026, to begin the final phase of integration and testing.

Following the successful completion of the second fueling test, NASA announced that the Artemis II mission could launch as soon as March 6, 2026. The agency stated that the test results met the requirements needed to proceed with the next steps in the launch preparation process.

What the numbers show

• Over 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant were loaded during the test
• The Artemis II mission is planned as a 10-day lunar flyby
• The first wet dress rehearsal was halted on February 2, 2026

The Artemis II mission will carry four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—on a journey around the Moon without landing. This mission marks the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 that a crewed spacecraft will travel to lunar orbit.

The Artemis II crew will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft, which is designed for deep space missions. The mission profile includes a flyby of the Moon before returning to Earth, serving as a critical step in NASA’s ongoing lunar exploration program.

NASA’s Artemis II mission is intended to demonstrate the capabilities of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft for future lunar and deep space missions. The results of the recent fueling test are a key milestone in the lead-up to the scheduled launch window in March 2026.

The agency continues to monitor all systems and conduct final checks as preparations move forward. NASA has stated that the Artemis II mission will proceed once all safety and technical requirements are met.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.