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NASA Conducts Second Rocket Fueling Test for Moon Mission
The results will determine when the agency's historic lunar launch can take place.
Published on Feb. 28, 2026
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NASA made another attempt to load fuel into its massive lunar rocket on Thursday, after leaks disrupted the initial dress rehearsal and forced a postponement. The successful completion of this second fueling test will help the agency decide when to proceed with the long-awaited launch of its Artemis I mission around the Moon.
Why it matters
The Artemis I mission is a crucial step in NASA's plan to return humans to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo program. A successful uncrewed test flight will pave the way for future Artemis missions that will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon.
The details
During the second fueling test, engineers were able to load propellant into the core stage of the Space Launch System rocket without any major issues, a key milestone after the initial attempt was scrubbed due to a hydrogen leak. NASA will now analyze the data from this latest test to determine if the rocket is ready for launch.
- The second fueling test took place on Thursday, February 20, 2026.
- The initial dress rehearsal was postponed in January 2026 due to the hydrogen leak.
The players
NASA
The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, including the Artemis lunar exploration missions.
What’s next
NASA will review the data from the second fueling test and make a decision on when to proceed with the Artemis I launch, which is currently targeted for later this year.
The takeaway
The successful completion of this second fueling test brings NASA one step closer to the historic Artemis I mission, which will lay the groundwork for future crewed lunar landings and demonstrate the agency's capabilities for deep space exploration.
