In the early hours of a cold February Sunday morning, a full moon hung low behind NASA’s towering Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Kennedy Space Center as the agency began a critical two-day practice countdown for Artemis II. 
The rehearsal simulates every step of launch day short of engine ignition, including loading the rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant. The “wet dress rehearsal” marks one of the final major tests before NASA attempts its first crewed mission beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years.
If the test proceeds smoothly, it could clear the way for a launch attempt as early as February 8, within a narrow window dictated by orbital mechanics and weather.
While rocket teams work in Florida, the Artemis II crew is already in quarantine at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, and Mission Specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen entered the agency’s health stabilization program in late January, a standard precaution to prevent illness from disrupting the mission. 
The astronauts will monitor the countdown rehearsal remotely before traveling to Kennedy Space Center if the rocket is cleared for flight.
Artemis II will be the first crewed mission to travel beyond low Earth orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972. Over roughly 10 days, the Orion capsule, named Integrity by the crew, will carry the astronauts on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, passing about 6,400 miles beyond the lunar far side before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. 
The crew has trained together since 2023, logging countless hours in Orion simulators, flying T-38 training jets, and participating in mission control tests at Kennedy Space Center. Wiseman is flying his second space mission, Glover his first, Koch returns to space after setting a record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, and Hansen will become the first Canadian to fly on a lunar mission.
For the astronauts, the flight represents both a technical and generational milestone. Wiseman has described Artemis as the moment when space exploration moves from memory back into lived experience. 
“In our lifetime, we’ve looked at the Moon knowing that people had been there,” he said in a NASA interview. “And now in the Artemis generation, kids will walk out and look at the Moon going, we are there. We are there now, and we are going further into our solar system.”
The launch timeline has not been without challenges. The recent deep freeze has delayed the fueling demonstration by two days, forcing teams to adapt by adding heaters to the Orion capsule and adjusting rocket purge systems. The 322-foot-tall SLS rolled out to the launch pad two weeks ago and remains there as engineers work through final checks.
Mission managers have said the lunar flight must launch by February 11 or wait until the next available window later in the year.
The Artemis II crew has framed the mission as something deeper, more connected to human nature. Speaking on NASA’s Curious Universe podcast, Glover described exploration as a defining human impulse. 
“Pushing ourselves to explore is just core to who we are,” he said. “We want to know what’s out there just beyond the horizon, and so the Artemis program is our opportunity.”
Koch echoed that sense of inevitability, framing the program not as a revival but as a continuation. “From the time humans started exploring, this was always in our future and in our fate,” she said. “We were always going to the Moon.”
As NASA works toward a sustained human presence on and around the Moon, and eventually Mars, Artemis II marks the moment humanity takes one small step back to the heavens. 

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

NASA Begins Final Countdown Rehearsal For First Crewed Moon Mission In Over 50 Years

CONTINUE READING

Kenyan Court Blocks Critical U.S. Plan To Contain Ebola Outbreak

Billionaire Tax Drives One Of America’s Most Powerful Tech Titans To Latin America

Treasury Secretary Confirms Preparations For Trump $250 Bill

The Daily Wire’s Luke Rosiak Blew The Lid Off Billions In Fraud. Now Comes The Reckoning.

SEE IT: Feminist AOC Wears Symbol That Oppresses Women

Spencer Pratt Makes Case For Why L.A. Will Shock The Political World

News

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Menu

— News —

NASA Begins Final Countdown Rehearsal For First Crewed Moon Mission In Over 50 Years