Archive · 1 Feb 2026
NASA Begins Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal Countdown
NASA has started the countdown for a big test called the Wet Dress Rehearsal for their Artemis II Moon mission.
This test is happening at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
During this test, they will fill the rocket with fuel and practice all the steps they need to do for the real launch.
This includes counting down, stopping the countdown, and draining the fuel.
The test is important because it helps make sure everything is ready for the astronauts to fly around the Moon.
The astronauts are already in quarantine to stay healthy.
If the test goes well, the rocket could launch as early as February 8.
The mission will last about 10 days and will help prepare for future missions to the Moon, including landing humans on the lunar South Pole in 2027.
NASA began the countdown for the Wet Dress Rehearsal of the Artemis II Moon mission on February 2, 2024, at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
The test involves fueling the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and running through a full range of launch operations, including counting down and practicing scrub procedures.
The rehearsal is expected to last until approximately 1 AM on February 3, 2024, with a possible launch date of February 8, 2024, depending on the test results.
The Artemis II crew, including NASA's Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen, will be the first people to launch to the Moon since 1972.
The mission will last nearly 10 days and will set the stage for Artemis III, which aims to land humans on the lunar South Pole in 2027.
- Who
- NASA and a team of astronauts including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen
- What
- Wet Dress Rehearsal for the Artemis II Moon mission
- When
- February 2, 2024, with a possible launch date of February 8, 2024
- Where
- Kennedy Space Centre, Florida
- Why
- To ensure the rocket and systems are ready for the crewed launch around the Moon
- Date of Wet Dress Rehearsal
- February 2, 2024
- Location
- Kennedy Space Centre, Florida
- Duration of Test
- Until approximately 1 AM on February 3, 2024
- Rocket
- Space Launch System (SLS)
- Astronauts
- Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen
- Earliest Possible Launch Date
- February 8, 2024
- Mission Duration
- 10 days
- Next Mission
- Artemis III (2027)
Sources
Cold Weather Delays Artemis II Mission To Moon To February 8: NASA
NASA begins countdown for Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal: What we know so far
Artemis 2 wet launch begins at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center: Launch date, astronauts and other details
