NASA Enters Final Countdown Phase for Artemis II Wet Dress Rehearsal

NASA teams officially entered the final 10 minutes of today’s Artemis II wet dress rehearsal countdown known as terminal count after Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, NASA’s Artemis launch director, gave the “go” to proceed. During terminal count, automated systems take control of countdown operations, final checks of flight computers, engine bleed systems, and ground support equipment occur, and the rocket transitions to internal power, and the countdown proceeds toward simulated engine start. Terminal count is designed to confirm that all systems can perform flawlessly under launch conditions, ensuring readiness for Artemis II – the first crewed mission of the Artemis campaign. Teams will be conducting a single run of terminal count for this test.