Tootfinder

While preparing #ArtemisII for flight, NASA engineers are reviewing data after a confidence test Feb. 12, in which operators partially filled the SLS (Space Launch System) core stage liquid hydrogen tank to assess newly replaced seals in an area used to fill the rocket with propellant: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/13/following-confidence-test-nasa-continues-artemis-ii-data-review/ - during the test, "teams encountered an issue with ground support equipment that reduced the flow of liquid hydrogen into the rocket. [...] Engineers will examine findings before setting a timeline for the next test, a second wet dress rehearsal this month. March remains the earliest potential launch window for Artemis II."

Finally an #ArtemisII update on https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/08/nasa-conducts-repairs-analysis-ahead-of-next-artemis-ii-fueling-test/ - "technicians have replaced two seals in an area where operators saw higher than allowable hydrogen gas concentrations during the test. Engineers are analyzing the removed seals and developing plans to address all issues ahead of the next rehearsal." No date for that new wet dress rehearsal has been set, and a launch date will be determined only after it is over.

In 10 minutes the #ArtemisII Fueling Test News Conference will stream at https://www.youtube.com/live/ycqk3uN_N6g - as announced in https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/03/nasa-conducts-artemis-ii-fuel-test-eyes-march-for-launch-opportunity/ and https://x.com/NASAAdmin/status/2018578937115271660 the first launch attempt has already been moved to March.

One more #ArtemisII piece in https://www.cbsnews.com/news/4-artemis-ii-astronauts-getting-ready-for-flight-to-far-side-of-the-moon-60-minutes-transcript/ (13-minutes video and transcript) - it also highlights the renewed 'race' between SpaceX and Blue Origin for building the Artemis III lander. And falsely claims that they are the first to actually show the Blue Moon MK1: see https://www.instagram.com/p/DRVZLMkkVgO/ from last November ...

The Wet Dress Rehearsal for #ArtemisII has begun in earnest with the tanking of the SLS Core stage now underway as planned: frequent updates on https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/ and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zDlM8d4Q7g (the pictures here from https://images.nasa.gov/ show yesterday's sunrise and moonrise behind the stack on the pad).

RE: #ArtemisII WDR: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/03/artemis-ii-wet-dress-rehearsal-test-terminated-at-t-515/ - a lot of unfinished business ...

A live view of the #ArtemisII stack on the pad: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xCrPD7tfcr0 - where the countdown for the Wet Dress Rehearsal has begun at 1:13 UTC; see https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/01/31/countdown-begins-for-artemis-ii-wet-dress-rehearsal/ for the timeline and https://skyweek.wordpress.com/2026/02/01/generalprobe-wet-dress-rehearsal-fur-artemis-ii/ for maaany Artemis-related links going back to 2023.

Need to get 'into the mood' about #ArtemisII? The 27-minute feature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMoXNq2n9_Y from NBC News could do the job.

With the delay of the #ArtemisII WDR to Feb. 2 finally confirmed - #Crew12 pre-launch presser day: #NASA yet, but https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5-5By97H_8 promises to carry the first presser at 16:00 UTC - beware: shocking preview image - while https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLxcA8Crpkg will carry the second one with the crew at 18:00 UTC).

Cool picture of the #ArtemisII stack in front of the first quarter #Moon at the #KSC - supplied by ULA: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ulalaunch/55063964129/

Too cold in Florida ... "Multiple sources" have told #ArtemisII "is slipping 48 hours because of expected freezing weather and high winds along Florida's Space Coast this weekend; there is no confirmation from NASA, but also no confirmation the practice countdown is actually underway as it would be if the test was on track".

The #ArtemisII roll-out seen from orbit with 30 cm resolution by the Pleiades NEO 3 satellite - from https://bsky.app/profile/spacefromspace.com/post/3mcnxxeada22g

The #ArtemisII stack has reached launch pad 39B at the KSC: NASA album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720331471551

The #ArtemisII roll-out is scheduled to begin at 12:00 UTC today (Saturday) and will last 8 to 12 hours: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrVnsO_rdew = webcast, https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii-press-kit/ = mission press kit, https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/01/16/artemis-ii-moon-rocket-ready-for-big-move/ = the finished stack, ready to roll.

A NASA #ArtemisII Crew Rollout Media Event is now streaming on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTs799cmxBc

The roll-out of the #ArtemisII stack has begun at 12:05 UTC according to the webcast https://www.youtube.com/live/eXolMVSTX0I which offers occasional commentary - the rocket should emerge from the VAB in about an hour.

In 5 minutes a NASA #ArtemisII Rollout and Mission Overview News Conference on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pn9lZtMXFxQ