NASA Targets March 6 Launch After Successful Fueling Test
A successful wet dress rehearsal that curtailed hydrogen leaks has put NASA on track to aim for a March 6 crewed Artemis II lunar fly-around.
Overview
NASA announced it is targeting a March 6 launch for the Artemis II crewed lunar fly-around after completing a successful fueling rehearsal, officials said.
The second wet dress rehearsal completed without significant hydrogen seepage after technicians replaced two seals and addressed filter issues that halted the first rehearsal, officials said.
Administrator Jared Isaacman said launch teams made "major progress" and Lori Glaze said excitement is building as the crew prepares to begin a mandatory two-week health quarantine, officials said.
The 322-foot Space Launch System will carry four astronauts on an approximately 10-day, roughly 600,000-mile Artemis II fly-around that would travel beyond the far side of the Moon, officials said.
NASA must complete an extensive, multi-day flight readiness review late next week before setting a formal launch date, and the agency has only five days in March to launch the crew, officials said.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the story optimistically, emphasizing NASA's successful second wet dress rehearsal while minimizing prior failures. Language like "things are looking up" and "good news" and phrases reporting leaks "remained under allowable limits" favor progress. Coverage prioritizes NASA voices and operational detail, with little independent expert criticism or alternative perspectives.
Sources (12)
FAQ
The first wet dress rehearsal was halted due to hydrogen seepage issues. Technicians resolved this by replacing two seals and addressing filter issues before the second successful rehearsal completed on February 19, 2026.[4] This successful test, which involved loading more than 700,000 gallons of liquid propellant into the rocket, demonstrated that the problems had been corrected.
A wet dress rehearsal is a full-scale test where engineers actually fuel the rocket and simulate the launch countdown to verify all systems work correctly before an actual launch. For Artemis II, the test included loading more than 700,000 gallons of liquid propellant, closing the Orion spacecraft's hatches, and completing two runs of terminal countdown—the final phase before launch.[4] This ensures the team is fully prepared for the actual launch day.
The Artemis II mission is expected to last approximately 10 days.[1] The mission will send four astronauts around the Moon on an Orion spacecraft atop NASA's Space Launch System megarocket. Key milestones include launching into Earth orbit, orbiting Earth twice to test systems, traveling to the Moon, passing as close as 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) from the lunar surface, and returning to splash down in the Pacific Ocean.[6]
If Artemis II cannot launch during the March window (March 6-9 or March 11), NASA has backup opportunities in April with potential launch dates on April 1, April 3-6, and April 30.[6] Before any formal launch date is set, NASA must complete an extensive, multi-day flight readiness review.
The Artemis II crew is preparing to enter a mandatory roughly 14-day quarantine late on February 20. Beginning quarantine before a formal launch date is set preserves flexibility within the March launch window while limiting the crew's exposure to illness before launch.[4]
History
4 sources