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ARTEMIS I WET DRESS REHEARSAL TEST, Apr 1-3, 2022, KSC
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Update, April 3: The WDR was scrubbed at about noon today when problem developed with fans needed to pressurze the Mobile Launcher to clear hazardous gases. NASA will resume the test tomorrow, April 4. See separate Calendar entry.
Update, March 31: NASA has posted a timeline of events on the Artemis blog, which should help everyone figure out when to check the blog for updates. They will also be tweeting on the Exploration Ground Systems Twitter feed: @NASAGroundSys
NASA variously refers to this as a three-day (April 1-3) or two-day (April 2-3) test. The Call to Stations is on April 1, but the test itself is April 2-3 and the most critical portion. where they conduct practice countdowns, is targeted for a two-hour window opening at 2:40 pm ET on Sunday per this NASA blog post.
Original Entry: NASA will conduct the Wet Dress Rehearsal (WDR) test for the Artemis I mission at Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39-B from April 1-3, 2022. Pre- and post-test media teleconferences are scheduled for March 29 and April 4 respectively (see our separate Calendar entries for those).
During the test, however, NASA will only provide live video of the rocket on the pad with no audio or commentary. Instead, it will post updates on its Artemis blog and social media accounts.
During a media telecon on March 29, NASA Deputy Associate Administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development Tom Whitmeyer asserted they are not allowed to provide live coverage because of export control concerns.
They said they will provide a timeline of events before the test so people will at least know when to look for updates on the blog.
The test begins with a “call to stations” at 5:00 pm ET on Friday. If all goes according to plan, tanking (fueling) the rocket will begin about 7:00 am ET on Sunday. There are several practice countdowns, but the final one will be about 2:00 pm ET Friday, stopping at a point about 10 seconds before a launch would actually occur.
Whitmeyer: we’re going to talk to the export control ppl about what we think is acceptable to share. Big rockets analogous to ballistic type capabilities. Other countries may want to know timing sequences, flow rates, temps, etc. Abundance of caution says no press coverage.
— Marcia Smith (@SpcPlcyOnline) March 29, 2022
No live coverage for the public or press, other than blog posts, NASA says because of export control concerns.
— Marcia Smith (@SpcPlcyOnline) March 29, 2022