NASA continues to press ahead through the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal countdown – a fueling test of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket.
Early this morning, at approximately 3 a.m. EST, teams powered up the rocket’s core stage, which will be loaded with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen during the tanking phase of the countdown. This will occur over a series of different propellant loading milestones to fill, top off, and replenish the tanks. The interim cryogenic propulsion stage also was powered up overnight.
Around 11 a.m., or L-33 hours, 30 minutes in the countdown, operators began charging Orion’s flight batteries. Core stage battery charging is scheduled to begin this afternoon. Later today, engineers will conduct final preparations of the umbilical arms and perform a walkdown at the launch pad.
A 24/7 live stream of the rocket at the pad continues online. NASA will provide a separate feed during tanking activities, as well as real-time blog post updates regarding the test during the fueling day.