Daijiworld Media Network - Washington

Washington, Feb 21: NASA has set March 6 as the target date for its upcoming crewed lunar mission after successfully completing a crucial wet dress rehearsal and resolving hydrogen fuel leaks detected during earlier tests.

The wet dress rehearsal — a full countdown simulation that includes loading super-cooled propellants into the rocket — was conducted earlier this week. During the first attempt, engineers identified hydrogen leaks, prompting a delay and an in-depth technical review.

According to NASA, the issue has since been corrected, and subsequent testing confirmed that the leaks did not reappear. “The wet test went successfully, and we were able to address the leaks observed during the first attempt,” the agency said in a statement, adding that teams will now conduct a detailed evaluation of all systems before final certification.

The mission will utilise the Space Launch System (SLS), the most powerful rocket ever built by NASA, to carry astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. The flight marks a key milestone in the agency’s broader lunar exploration strategy, which aims to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon.

A formal Flight Readiness Review (FRR) is expected to conclude by the end of next week. During this process, mission managers, engineers and safety experts will carefully assess data from the rehearsal and other system checks before granting final clearance for launch.

NASA reiterated that safety remains its top priority. Teams will rigorously inspect propulsion systems, avionics, life-support components and ground support infrastructure to ensure all flight requirements are met.

Meanwhile, the astronaut crew is scheduled to enter a “soft quarantine” in the coming days — a precautionary step designed to limit exposure to illness and ensure they remain in peak health ahead of liftoff.