Hydrogen leaks halt Artemis 2 fueling test; NASA plans second wet dress rehearsal

NASA halted the Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal after hydrogen leaks were detected during the terminal countdown, marking a second such issue after Artemis 1. The initial leak during fast fill was addressed by warming a quick-disconnect seal; the later leak during core-stage pressurization is under investigation. NASA plans a second WDR to test fixes, with no launch in the current Feb. 11 window and the next opportunity set for March 6–11; there is no plan to roll the rocket back to the VAB. The test nonetheless yielded useful data, including operations with a larger LH2 storage tank and hatch closures, as Artemis 2 remains the first crewed lunar vicinity mission in more than 50 years.