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Artemis II Confidence Test Hits Hydrogen Flow Snag Linked to Pad Hardware

A suspected clogged filter in ground equipment prompted plans for a swap before another fueling rehearsal.

Overview

  • NASA partially loaded liquid hydrogen during a Feb. 12 confidence test to verify newly replaced seals after an earlier leak halted a full rehearsal.
  • Engineers traced the reduced hydrogen flow to ground support equipment rather than the rocket, with a clogged filter suspected as the cause.
  • Teams will purge lines, inspect hardware, and replace the filter before scheduling a second full wet dress rehearsal.
  • Officials said March remains the earliest launch opportunity, with five identified dates between March 6 and March 11 and April as a fallback if needed.
  • The mission will send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a lunar flyby, a key step toward later Artemis landings.