Countdown Rehearsal: The Steady Steps towards Artemis 2 Launch Amid Challenges

On January 20, the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft, consisting of three Americans and one Canadian, embarked on the space vehicle inside the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center. They participated in a countdown demonstration test (CDDT) – a rehearsal for the launch day. Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen arrived at the Vehicle Assembly Building, where the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft awaited them.

Initially, it was planned for the astronauts to be transported in electric vehicles from the bankrupt Canoo Technologies company, which folded earlier in 2025, but NASA rented Boeing’s Astrovan, which is used to transport astronauts to the CST-100 Starliner craft. According to a NASA representative, the departure was delayed by about 3 hours due to communication issues, which were resolved.

The rehearsal was scheduled for November 19, but it was postponed due to a defect on the heat barrier of the access hatch to the Orion spacecraft. Another attempt on December 17 was also canceled without detailed reasons.

During the rehearsal, the crew performed a communication check, strapped in, configured the crew module, and executed the countdown leading to the moment preceding the final count. According to Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, an evacuation rehearsal will follow.

Once this stage is complete, other service works will be carried out in the Vehicle Assembly Building, as well as a flight termination system test (FTST). The rollout of the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad will depend on the success of subsequent tests. The rocket will cover approximately 6.4 kilometers (4 miles) from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39B.

Soon after the rocket’s arrival on the pad, a second part of the countdown rehearsal will take place, which will test the emergency evacuation system. This system consists of cable baskets allowing for timely departure from the platform prior to the activation of the launch abort system. Astronauts will then undergo training in using this system.

Following this, a “wet” dress rehearsal will occur, during which the SLS rocket will be loaded with over 2.7 million liters (730,000 gallons) of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.

The Artemis 2 launch is scheduled for no earlier than February 6 and no later than April 2026.