The Artemis II wet dress rehearsal entered the T-10 minute hold in the simulated countdown at 8:50 p.m. EST. Though it had been counting down to the opening of a simulated launch window at 9 p.m. EST Monday, Feb. 2, the test will proceed as teams continue to work through countdown milestones.
The closeout crew remains in the White Room and has closed the Orion spacecraft’s crew module hatch. While performing seal pressurization checks on the counterbalance assembly, which could be used to help open the hatch, a valve associated with Orion’s hatch pressurization was inadvertently vented. The counterbalance assembly then needed to be repressurized to allow work to continue.
Approximately an hour of work remains in the White Room, with the launch abort system hatch remaining to be closed.
Brandi DeanFebruary 2, 2026