NASA Prepares for Critical Fuel Test Ahead of Artemis 2 Launch

NASA is set to conduct a crucial fueling test on February 5, 2024, as part of preparations for the upcoming Artemis 2 mission. If successful, the test will pave the way for the launch of four astronauts on a flight around the moon, scheduled for February 8. The countdown and fueling operations are taking place at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The countdown commenced on February 3 and will continue until the simulated launch window opens at 21:00 EST on February 5. This test was delayed by two days due to forecasted arctic weather conditions along Florida’s Space Coast, which also shifted the Artemis 2 launch date from February 6 to February 8.

The crew for Artemis 2 includes commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. They are currently in pre-flight medical quarantine at the Johnson Space Center in Houston and are expected to travel to Florida later this week if the fueling test proceeds without complications.

During Monday’s operations, NASA plans to pump over 750,000 gallons of supercold liquid oxygen and hydrogen into the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket’s two stages. This rehearsal aims to ensure that the booster’s tanks and propellant system plumbing are leak-free.

According to NASA, “This test will run the launch team through a full range of operations, including loading cryogenic liquid propellant into the SLS rocket’s tanks, conducting a launch countdown, demonstrating the ability to recycle the countdown clock, and draining the tanks to practice scrub procedures.” These steps are vital for ensuring that the team is completely prepared for the actual launch day.

In the lead-up to the SLS rocket’s maiden flight in 2022, various leaks and technical issues prompted several delays. Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson expressed confidence that improvements made since then would enhance the chances of a smooth fueling operation on Monday.

The “wet dress” countdown is scheduled to begin propellant flow into the SLS rocket at approximately 11:00 EST. If everything goes according to plan, the tanks of the 177-foot-tall core stage and the 45-foot-tall Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS) should be fully loaded and in “replenish” mode by around 16:30 EST.

While crew members would typically head to the launch pad after fueling to check their pressure suits and establish communication with the launch team, no astronauts will be on board for this exercise. Engineers will instead simulate various procedures that may be necessary should unexpected issues arise on launch day.

This test not only simulates real-world conditions but also prepares the team for possible scenarios in which a launch might be scrubbed due to technical or weather-related concerns. After the test, the team will drain the propellant and analyze all data before finalizing an official target launch date.

NASA has identified five potential launch opportunities in February. The first two dates, February 6 and 7, are no longer available due to the delay in the fueling test. The remaining opportunities are February 8, 10, and 11. If technical issues or adverse weather conditions delay the SLS beyond February 11, the Artemis 2 mission will be rescheduled for a new set of launch opportunities between March 6 and 11.

As preparations continue, excitement grows for what will be a significant milestone in NASA’s Artemis program, marking humanity’s return to lunar exploration.