NASA has conducted a new attempt to fuel its massive moon rocket following setbacks from leaks that caused a delay in the first astronaut lunar mission in over 50 years. This marks the second time this month that launch teams filled the rocket with over 700,000 gallons of supercold fuel at Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
Engineers initiated a countdown to the final minutes before restarting the clock for the last 10 minutes. NASA confirmed the successful completion of the late-night test with minimal hydrogen leaks within safe limits.
This crucial phase of the practice countdown is under analysis to determine if a March launch is feasible for the Artemis 2 moon mission carrying four astronauts. The crew, including US-Canadian members, entered a two-week quarantine period to maintain flexibility within the potential launch window.
During a previous rehearsal, significant amounts of supercold liquid hydrogen leaked at a core stage interface, leading to operational pauses for adjustments and replacements. Thursday’s results have instilled confidence in the new seals, aiming for a potential launch on March 6, with the astronauts embarking on a 10-day trip to the moon without orbiting or landing.
NASA’s struggle with hydrogen fuel leaks dates back to the space shuttle era. The upcoming mission will be the first crewed moon flight since Apollo 17 in 1972, emphasizing the agency’s continuous efforts to address technical challenges for space exploration.
