The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has restarted the countdown rehearsal for its first crewed lunar mission in decades, following the repair of a hazardous fuel leak. The test resumed on Tuesday local time, after the previous leak had postponed the mission to March.
An initial fueling test two weeks prior was halted due to a liquid hydrogen leak—a recurrence of the same issue that interrupted the uncrewed Artemis I test flight three years ago.
The launch team replaced two seals and a clogged filter at the Kennedy Space Center launch pad before restarting the countdown. The massive moon rocket stands at the site. The two-day test will reach a critical phase on Thursday, with an attempt to fully fuel the rocket's tanks. The four astronauts of the Artemis II mission will remotely monitor this important full-duration rehearsal.
NASA must complete a successful, leak-free test before setting an official launch date. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket could lift off as early as March 6. Officials had considered an earlier date but stated that additional time is needed to analyze data from the fueling test.
The last time NASA sent astronauts to the moon was during the Apollo program in 1972.
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