NASA is gearing up for a simulated launch of the Artemis II mega moon rocket tonight after cold weather pushed back the mission’s earliest potential lift-off to later this week. Artemis II and its four-person crew will now leave Earth for the moon as early as Sunday (Feb. 8), two days later than the previous earliest window.NASA needs to get through a simulated launch before the space agency can proceed with an actual launch. The simulated launch is part of a “wet dress rehearsal,” during which engineers test fueling the Artemis II rocket.The Artemis Program is no stranger to delays. Artemis I returned to NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building twice in 2022 following issues during wet dress rehearsals. The uncrewed rocket ultimately took off during NASA’s fourth attempt at a launch in November 2022. Are moon misssions really necessary ?
