Kuala Lumpur,El Sky News NASA has taken another step toward returning humans to the Moon with the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed lunar journey in more than 50 years.
The space agency recently conducted a full practice countdown, known as a wet dress rehearsal, for its powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. The test is designed to simulate launch day procedures, including fueling the rocket, ahead of sending astronauts around the Moon.
During the rehearsal, engineers encountered hydrogen leaks, a recurring technical challenge for the SLS. While the issue forced adjustments to the test schedule, NASA emphasized that identifying and fixing such problems on the ground is a critical part of ensuring astronaut safety.
Artemis II will carry four astronauts — three from NASA and one from the Canadian Space Agency — on a lunar flyby mission, paving the way for Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the Moon later this decade.
The Artemis program is central to NASA’s long-term vision of sustained lunar exploration and future missions to Mars, signaling a new era of international and deep-space collaboration.
