Following Confidence Test, NASA Continues Artemis II Data Review

Engineers are reviewing data after a Feb. 12 confidence test in which operators partially filled the SLS core stage liquid hydrogen tank to assess newly replaced seals in the area used to fill the rocket with propellant.

Teams encountered an issue with ground support equipment that reduced the flow of liquid hydrogen into the rocket, but they gained confidence in several key objectives and obtained data at the core stage interfaces taken at the same point in the test where a leak occurred during the previous wet dress rehearsal.

Over the weekend, engineers will purge the line to ensure proper environmental conditions and inspect the ground support equipment before replacing a filter suspected to have caused the reduced flow.

Findings will be examined before setting a timeline for the next test, a second wet dress rehearsal planned for this month. March remains the earliest potential launch window for Artemis II.

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