NASA Gears Up for Artemis II Rocket Dress Rehearsal

US Aims to Return Astronauts to the Moon for First Time Since 1972

Feb. 2, 2026 at 7:07pm

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NASA is set to conduct a critical 'wet dress rehearsal' of its Artemis II rocket on Monday night, a key milestone ahead of the first crewed mission to the moon since the Apollo era. The rehearsal will see the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket fueled and the Orion spacecraft's systems tested, paving the way for the four-person crew launch as early as February 8.

Why it matters

The successful completion of the Artemis II dress rehearsal will mark a major step forward in NASA's ambitious plan to return astronauts to the lunar surface by 2028, the first such mission since the last Apollo flight in 1972. This mission will also set a new record, with the crew expected to travel nearly 5,000 miles beyond the far side of the moon - the furthest any humans have ever ventured into space.

The details

During the wet dress rehearsal, the SLS rocket will be filled with 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants, which will then be drained to ensure the spacecraft can properly carry its fuel. Engineers will also check the batteries and energy systems aboard the Orion capsule where the four-person crew will be stationed for the 10-day trip around the moon.

  • The wet dress rehearsal is scheduled to begin as early as 9 p.m. on Monday, February 6, 2026.
  • The test window extends to 1 a.m. on Tuesday, February 7, 2026 if necessary.

The players

NASA

The United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, including the Artemis missions to the moon.

Reid Wiseman

One of the four astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket.

Victor Glover

One of the four astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket.

Christina Koch

One of the four astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket.

Jeremy Hansen

The Canadian astronaut selected for the Artemis II mission, which will be the first crewed flight of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System rocket.

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What’s next

If the wet dress rehearsal is successful, NASA will then announce an official date for the four-person crew launch, with the earliest possible date currently set for Sunday, February 8, 2026.

The takeaway

The Artemis II mission represents a significant milestone in the United States' renewed efforts to explore the moon, paving the way for future crewed missions and the eventual goal of establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.