The crew of the Artemis 2 mission recently took a big step forward. On a Saturday afternoon, four astronauts boarded their Orion spacecraft at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. This was part of a launch day rehearsal called the Countdown Demonstration Test (CDDT). It was the first time they got to experience the full setup instead of just going through data simulations. The test ended with a cutoff of the simulated countdown at T-29 seconds.
Astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen left the Neil Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building around 12:20 p.m. EST. Dressed in their bright orange suits, they made the 5.5-mile trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building, where their rocket awaited them. After a few words for family members and NASA staff, they boarded their transport vehicle.
Initially, they were supposed to ride in new electric vehicles from Canoo Technologies. However, Canoo went bankrupt, so NASA ended up leasing Boeing’s Astrovan instead, which has been used before for transporting astronauts.
The crew’s departure was delayed by about three hours due to communication issues. Although NASA didn’t provide much detail, they confirmed that everything was resolved, allowing the rehearsal to proceed. This test is already running behind schedule; it was originally set for November 19 but faced delays due to a thermal barrier issue with the Orion crew access hatch.
The CDDT is similar to rehearsal tests used during the space shuttle era. These tests allow crews to practice their roles on launch day. According to Artemis Launch Director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, once the crew is in the Orion capsule, they’ll do a communications check and prepare for a series of countdown procedures. This includes a safety demonstration on how to escape the rocket quickly if needed.
After the rehearsals, the rocket will be transported about four miles to Launch Complex 39B. Following arrival, a second part of the CDDT will go over the emergency egress system, designed to help astronauts escape quickly in case of an emergency.
The full launch countdown is scheduled for no earlier than February 6, 2026, with the possibility of extending to April. According to a recent NASA report, the long-term ambitions of the Artemis program include returning humans to the Moon and preparing for future Mars missions. With a target goal to establish a sustainable human presence, the program has broader implications for space exploration.
In social media buzz, many users expressed excitement over the crew diversity and the collaborative international effort represented by the inclusion of a Canadian astronaut. Tapping into global interest, the Artemis missions are seen as vital for future global partnerships in space exploration.
As the countdown continues, the Artemis 2 crew’s journey not only symbolizes human ambition but also stands as a testament to the spirit of exploration that unites us all.
