NASA aims to send astronauts to the moon in March after acing the latest rocket fueling test.
The test was “a big step toward America’s return to the lunar environment," Isaacman said on the social media platform X. Astronauts last ventured to the moon more than half a century ago.four astronauts on the Artemis II lunar fly-around as soon as March 6 from Florida's Kennedy Space Center.
To keep their options open, the three Americans and one Canadian prepared to go into the mandatory two-week health quarantine Friday night in Houston. The space agency has only five days in March to launch the crew aboard the Space Launch System rocket, before standing down until the end of April. February's opportunities evaporated after dangerous amounts of liquid hydrogen leaked during the first fueling demonstration. Technicians replaced two seals, leading to Thursday's successful rerun. The countdown clocks went all the way down to the desired 29-second mark. The removed Teflon seals had some light scratches but nothing else noticeable that could have caused such heavy leakage, officials said. A bit of moisture also was found in the area that could have contributed to the problem. The fixes worked, with barely any leakage detected, said launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson. Commander Reid Wiseman and two of his crew monitored Thursday's operation alongside launch controllers. The astronauts will be the first to fly to the moon since Apollo 17 closed out NASA's first chapter in moon exploration in 1972. Still ahead is the flight readiness review, scheduled for late next week. If that goes well, the astronauts will fly back to Kennedy around the beginning of March for a real countdown. “Every night I look up at the moon and I see it and I get real excited because I can really feel she's calling us, and we're ready," Glaze said. The nearly 10-day mission is considered a test flight with astronauts soaring atop the 322-foot SLS rocket for the first time. The only other SLS flight, in 2022, had no one on board. The next mission in the series, Artemis III, will attempt to land a pair of astronauts near the moon's south pole in a few years. Given all the details still to be worked out for that mission — including whether Elon Musk's SpaceX or Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin will provide the lunar lander — Glaze said it will be months, perhaps even a year, before NASA selects that first moon-landing crew.The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.30 students disciplined at East Central High School after anti-ICE walkout‘It was intentional’: San Antonio owner demands answers after his dog was shot in neighborhoodProposed high-voltage power line sparks pushback across Texas Hill Country0:36How messaging, emergency preparedness have changed 5 years after 2021 winter stormJefferson HS teacher looks to introduce fencing to engage students, prevent troubleAfter son’s hit-and-run death, San Antonio mother struggles with homelessness and burial costsSuspect arrested in connection with scheme that cost Converse woman her life’s savingsSakai, Nirenberg tout experience in faceoff for Bexar County JudgeWhat we know after two people killed at NW Side hookah barSan Antonio police launch investigation after dog left behind during owner’s arrestWATCH: Truck flies into Oregon home‘It looked like he got hit by a car’: Helotes dog returns home with mysterious injuriesJudson ISD board votes to close Judson Middle School amid $37 million deficitVIA employee union ‘not on board’ with free bus fare pushVerbal altercation between Judson ISD trustee and board president over Open Meetings ActJudson ISD student shares frustration over potential Franz Elem. closureHeadstone unveiled for Savanah Soto and her unborn babyFIVE YEARS AGO: A look back at the historic February 2021 winter storm in San AntonioSpurs Jackals fan group fuels father-son bond, appreciation for teamSan Antonio surgeon shares his heart attack survival story, encourages others to prioritize healthSan Antonio surgeon shares his heart attack survival story, encourages others to prioritize healthDeveloper pays City of San Antonio $3.3 million to clear land where endangered species lives4 in 5 Texas Education Freedom Account applicants plan on attending private schoolMarbach Road safety upgrades planned months after student killed in crashGet a loook at the 2026 Rodeo fairground food!😋
Reid Wiseman Jared Isaacman Lori Glaze
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