NASA teams completed closing the launch abort system hatch during the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal, simulating final launch day procedures. The launch abort system hatch provides access to the Orion crew module through the outer aeroshell of the launch abort system and must be securely sealed to ensure crew safety during ascent.
Closing the launch abort system hatch is a critical milestone that confirms the spacecraft is fully configured for flight. The launch abort system is designed to protect astronauts in the event of an emergency during launch, and proper hatch integrity ensures the system can perform as intended.
With the hatch secured, the closeout crew validates mechanical seals, verifies environmental conditions, performs leak checks, and confirms readiness for the next steps in the countdown sequence.
Next up, the closeout crew will depart the launch pad once its work is completed.
The rehearsal entered the T-10 minute hold at 8:50 p.m. EST, and the team continues to work through countdown milestones in the hold. Though the test had been counting down to the opening of a simulated launch window at 9 p.m. EST, the test has continued into the window. While the launch control team initially planned to pause when the countdown reached 33 seconds to launch and recycle the countdown clock back to T-10 minutes to conduct a second terminal countdown, Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson has made the decision to limit the rehearsal to one terminal count.
A 24/7 live stream of the rocket at the pad remains online, as well as a separate feed to capture wet dress activities.
