ARTEMIS-I WDR TEST AGAIN RESUMES, Apr 13-14 , 2022

Update, April 9, 8:40 am ET:  NASA has updated the Artemis blog, confirming the 3-day delay earlier reported by SpaceflightNow. The two-day test culminates with tanking and the practice countdowns (T-0) on April 14.

NASA says it will be a modified test “primarily focused on tanking the core stage, and minimal propellant operations” on the upper stage due to a malfunctioning helium check valve.

Original Entry: NASA is expected to resume the Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) for the Artemis I launch soon. The test takes place over two days, culiminating in fueling the Space Launch System rocket and conducting two practice countdowns almost to the point where a launch would take place.

NASA had to scrub the first two attempts at this test on April 3 and April 4. The decision then was made to wait until after the Axiom-1 mission lifted off from the adjacent launch pad. The test and the launch could not take place on the same day. Axiom-1 launched on April 8.

The plan was for the third WDR attempt to resume this weekend (April 9-10) with fueling and practice countdowns on Monday, April 11.

However, late on April 8 SpaceflightNow reported a three-day delay. NASA had not updated its Artemis blog as of 8:00 am ET April 9, however.

ICYMI – the Artemis 1 fueling test is being delayed another three days. Still no official word or details from NASA. https://t.co/Q53Jy27zGC

— Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) April 9, 2022