NASA will hold a media conference on 24 June at 15:00 GMT (17:00 CEST) to discuss next steps for the Artemis I mission with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, Orion spacecraft and its European Service Module. Audio of the call will livestream on NASA’s website.

Teams held a wet dress rehearsal on 20 June, to validate the timelines and procedures for launch, including loading propellant into the rocket’s tanks, performing the launch countdown through the handover to the automated launch sequencer, and draining the tanks.

Destination and transport. Credits: NASA

NASA has reviewed the data from the rehearsal and determined the testing campaign is complete. The agency will roll SLS and Orion back to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy next week to prepare the rocket and spacecraft for launch and repair a leak detected during the most recent rehearsal. NASA plans to return SLS and Orion to the pad for launch in late August and set a specific target launch date after replacing hardware associated with the leak.

NASA officials will discuss the outcome of the wet dress rehearsal, plans to return the rocket and spacecraft to the VAB, and repair the leak. Teleconference participants include:

  • Tom Whitmeyer, deputy associate administrator for Common Exploration Systems Development, NASA Headquarters
  • Phil Weber, senior technical integration manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program, NASA Kennedy
  • John Blevins, chief engineer, Space Launch System Program, NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center
  • Cliff Lanham, senior vehicle operations manager, Exploration Ground Systems Program, NASA Kennedy