NASA Begins Practice Countdown for First Moonshot with Astronauts in Over 50 Years

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NASA has started a two-day practice countdown for its first moonshot with astronauts in 53 years. The 322-foot Space Launch System rocket was moved to the launch pad two weeks ago, and if Monday's fueling test is successful, NASA could attempt the launch within a week. Commander Reid Wiseman and his crew will be the first people to launch to the moon since 1972, monitoring the dress rehearsal from their Houston base before flying to Kennedy Space Center once the rocket is cleared for flight.

Why it matters

This mission marks the first time NASA will send astronauts to the moon since the Apollo program ended in 1972. It's a significant milestone in the agency's Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. The successful completion of this practice countdown and fueling test will be crucial in determining when the historic launch can take place.

The details

During the two-day practice countdown, NASA teams will fill the rocket's tank with more than 700,000 gallons of super-cold fuel, stopping just short of when the engines would light. This is a crucial test that will help ensure the rocket is ready for launch. If the fueling test goes well, NASA could attempt the launch within a week, with the Orion capsule carrying the U.S. and Canadian astronauts on a nearly 10-day mission to fly around the moon and return to Earth.

• NASA began the two-day practice countdown on Saturday.
• The 322-foot Space Launch System rocket was moved to the launch pad two weeks ago.
• If Monday's fueling test is successful, NASA could attempt the launch within a week.
• The mission will last nearly 10 days, with the astronauts flying around the moon and then returning to Earth.

What’s next

If Monday's fueling test is successful, NASA could attempt the launch within a week.