After several setbacks in the schedule for the upcoming mission to orbit the moon with four astronauts, NASA disclosed during a press briefing today that Artemis II is set to proceed with a potential launch date as early as April 1. Lori Glaze, who is the acting associate administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, mentioned that following the Flight Readiness Review (FRR), all teams are prepared to proceed with launching Artemis II around the moon, pending the completion of certain tasks. Glaze emphasized the experimental nature of the flight and acknowledged the associated risks, but assured that both the team and equipment are primed for the mission. The rollout to the launch pad is planned for the following week.
Today’s press conference focused on NASA’s flight readiness review, a critical stage before the launch. Glaze also announced an additional launch date within the window, extending from April 1 to April 6 for the Artemis II mission. This mission will see Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen join NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch on a trajectory around the moon.
The astronauts are scheduled to enter quarantine on March 18, followed by their departure to the Kennedy Space Center on March 27. NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) was transported to the launch pad in January for a planned February launch. However, prior to the launch, the rocket underwent a wet dress rehearsal, simulating a launch scenario involving hydrogen and liquid oxygen fueling.
Delays occurred due to hydrogen leaks experienced during the initial wet dress rehearsal, a recurring issue from the uncrewed Artemis I rehearsal. This necessitated rescheduling the launch window to early March. Following a second wet dress rehearsal on February 19, the hydrogen leak was seemingly resolved, but a subsequent problem with helium flow to the upper-stage engines was identified. Consequently, the rocket was returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) on February 25, resulting in the exclusion of a March launch date.
NASA has since rectified the helium issue, replaced batteries in the SLS upper and core stages, as well as the solid rocket boosters, and scheduled a retest of the flight termination system designed to destroy the rocket in case of a control loss.
Recently, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman announced a revision to the Artemis program, shifting the focus of Artemis III from a lunar landing objective to a test mission involving docking with one of the lunar landers developed through contracts with SpaceX and Blue Origin.