NASA's Artemis 2 spacecraft, which aims to take humanity back to the Moon for the first time in over 50 years, has successfully completed its final wet dress rehearsal (WDR) before launch. During this test, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida was filled with 2.65 million liters of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen fuel, and the countdown was conducted twice. While a few minor issues were noted, there were no significant problems, particularly the hydrogen leak experienced during the previous final tests in February.

NASA reported that the hydrogen gas concentration remained well below allowable limits and confirmed the reliability of newly replaced sealing components. There was a temporary communication interruption within the Launch Control Center during the initial fuel loading stages, but this did not hinder the progress of the test. The rehearsal followed the same procedures as would be used during the actual launch, scheduled for March 6, with a launch window extending through March 11. If this window is missed due to adverse weather, the next possible launch period would be pushed to early April.

Following the successful conclusion of the final test, the four astronauts who will be aboard Artemis 2 have entered a quarantine period to ensure their health leading up to the mission. This upcoming lunar flyby will take the crew to about 7,000 kilometers beyond the far side of the Moon and back, with Canadian astronaut as part of the team. This mission represents NASA’s first manned lunar return since Apollo 17 in 1972, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.