NASA sets date for 2nd attempt at Artemis I dress rehearsal testing

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – NASA officials are set to discuss the next steps in the Atremis mission on Monday.

According to NASA, a modified wet dress rehearsal will resume with a call to stations Tuesday and tanking on Thursday, April 14.

Engineers were forced to scrub the first test April 4 during tanking as teams encountered a valve issue during tanking.

“While engineers investigate the issue, teams continue to refine the test schedule to account for insights gained during the previous runs and activities, or test objectives, that were completed earlier this week,” NASA said in a news release.

Once the test is completed, the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft will be returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building to conduct final tests and adjustments before an eventual maiden launch sometime in the next few months.

The Artemis I mission is the first to send a rocket to the moon in decades. It will orbit the moon and then return to Earth. If successful, NASA will send a crew on Artemis II, and then a crew will land on the moon with the Artemis III mission.

NASA is expecting the Artemis III mission to happen no earlier than 2025.