Feb 20 • 07:44 UTC 🇬🇧 UK Mirror

Nasa issues major Artemis 2 launch update ahead of moon mission

Nasa successfully completed a critical test for its Artemis 2 moon mission, marking progress towards its planned launch.

Nasa has conducted another fueling attempt for its Artemis 2 moon rocket after previous leaks caused delays during rehearsals. This recent test involved pumping over 700,000 gallons of supercold fuel into the rocket at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida, with engineers successfully managing to address minimal hydrogen leaks, ensuring safety standards were met. The test was part of a two-day practice countdown that is pivotal ahead of the mission.

The completion of this test is significant as it represents a crucial phase in preparations for the first astronaut lunar mission in over fifty years. After this successful test, Nasa engineers are now reviewing the data to evaluate the feasibility of a launch in March. The Artemis 2 mission is poised to carry a US-Canadian crew, and preparations are intensifying as they have begun a mandatory two-week quarantine period, a standard procedure ahead of such mission launches.

This mission is particularly important as it aims to advance human exploration of space, marking the return of astronauts to lunar orbit. Should the timeline allow for a March launch, it would signify a new chapter in Nasa's Artemis program, which seeks to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon as a stepping stone for future missions to Mars and beyond.

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