Artemis 2 Rocket Fueling Test Postponed to Feb. 2 Amid Freezing Conditions at Kennedy Space Center
NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission faces a critical test as freezing temperatures disrupt preparations for its first crewed lunar flight in nearly half a century. The agency postponed the Space Launch System (SLS) wet dress rehearsal to Feb. 2, 2026, citing freezing conditions at Kennedy Space Center. This marks the second delay for the full countdown simulation and fueling test, which was initially scheduled for Jan. 31.
The revised timeline aligns the rehearsal with Artemis 2’s launch window of Feb. 8–11, 2026, with a potential liftoff on Feb. 8 at 11:20 p.m. ET. NASA confirmed the Artemis 2 mission could push the SpaceX Crew-12 International Space Station launch to no earlier than Feb. 19, 2026, to avoid overlapping with the 10-day lunar mission. The SLS rocket remains at Launch Pad 39B, awaiting the updated test date.
The delay underscores the logistical challenges of maintaining operational readiness in extreme weather conditions.
NASA’s statement emphasized that the decision was made to ensure the safety and accuracy of the rehearsal, which simulates all phases of launch except the actual ignition. No technical failures were cited as a cause for the rescheduling.
