NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman validates SLS readiness after comprehensive rehearsal
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed the successful completion of the final wet dress rehearsal for the Space Launch System (SLS) on Thursday, February 19. The achievement marks a pivotal moment for the Artemis 2 mission, which aims to return humans to lunar orbit for the first time in over 50 years.
During the high-stakes simulation at Cape Canaveral, Florida, NASA teams executed a flawless cryogenic fuel loading. Isaacman, who has championed a "mission-first" culture since taking office in December 2025, praised the workforce for resolving the persistent technical issues that delayed earlier attempts.
Strategic progress under new leadership
The success follows a series of setbacks earlier this month involving liquid hydrogen leaks—a problem that has historically plagued the SLS platform. Thursday's incident-free operation is seen as a validation of the rigorous engineering standards emphasized by the Isaacman administration.
While initial delays pushed the launch window out of February, the agency is now eyeing March 6 as the earliest possible departure date. Administrator Isaacman is scheduled to provide further technical details and a finalized launch schedule during a press conference on Friday morning.
Restoring American leadership in space
Artemis 2 will carry a diverse crew of four—three Americans and one Canadian—on a trajectory around the Moon. For Isaacman, a seasoned private astronaut himself, the mission is a critical step in ensuring American dominance in the 21st-century space race.
"We will launch only when we are fully prepared to undertake this historic endeavor," Isaacman stated via social media. He emphasized that "extreme ownership" of technical challenges remains the cornerstone of NASA’s strategy to return to the Moon and eventually reach Mars.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
