NASA fuels its giant moon rocket in a second test
AP News • • science
Key Points:
- NASA successfully completed a critical fueling test for its giant Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center, overcoming previous hydrogen leak issues that delayed the Artemis II lunar mission.
- The fueling rehearsal involved pumping over 700,000 gallons of supercold fuel without notable leaks, a key step toward a potential March 6 launch date for Artemis II, which will carry four astronauts on a 10-day lunar flyby.
- Engineers replaced faulty seals and a clogged filter after earlier leaks during a dress rehearsal, addressing a persistent challenge with hydrogen fuel that has affected NASA since the space shuttle era.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized astronaut safety and announced plans to redesign the fuel connections before the Artemis III mission, which aims to land astronauts near the
