CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) – NASA is planning to send astronauts to the moon as early as March 6, following a successful rocket fueling test that marked significant progress. Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that the launch teams made “major progress” since the first countdown rehearsal earlier this month, which faced disruptions due to hydrogen leaks. The successful second fueling test was completed Thursday night without any significant seepage, indicating advancements in preparation for the upcoming mission.
Isaacman referred to the latest test as “a big step toward America’s return to the lunar environment” in a post on the social media platform X. The upcoming Artemis II lunar fly-around mission aims to launch four astronauts, including three Americans and one Canadian, from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. To ensure their readiness for the mission, the crew plans to enter a mandatory two-week health quarantine starting Friday night.
Despite the progress, NASA's Lori Glaze emphasized that there is still work to be done, including conducting a flight readiness review. On Thursday, Commander Reid Wiseman and two other crew members monitored the operation alongside launch controllers. These astronauts will be the first to fly to the moon since Apollo 17 wrapped up NASA's first chapter of lunar exploration in 1972, marking a significant milestone in the agency's space exploration efforts.
The commitment to lunar exploration continues as NASA implements the necessary steps to ensure the safety and success of the Artemis II mission. The anticipation surrounding this historic mission reflects a renewed interest in space exploration and the potential for future manned missions beyond the lunar surface.
