NASA has scheduled a second full “wet dress rehearsal” for its Artemis II mission as the U.S. space agency moves closer to launching its first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years.
The fueling test, set for February 19, 2026, will involve loading the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with cryogenic propellants while conducting a full countdown simulation. The rehearsal is designed to validate launch-day procedures, ground systems and emergency protocols before the mission proceeds toward liftoff.
Artemis II will carry four astronauts on a lunar flyby, marking the first time humans travel beyond low-Earth orbit since the Apollo era. NASA previously conducted a wet dress rehearsal but opted for an additional full test to ensure readiness and address technical refinements.
Officials say the rehearsal is a critical milestone in the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustained presence in preparation for future missions to Mars. The agency has not yet announced a final launch date, pending successful completion of testing.
