NASA moves critical fueling test for Artemis 2 moon rocket up to Jan. 31

An orange rocket sits on a mobile scaffold as it rolls out of a large white building with the American flag and NASA meatball logo on the side.

NASA is progressing a little faster than originally predicted toward a critical fueling test of its Artemis 2 moon rocket.

The agency had targeted no later than Feb. 2 to complete the "wet dress rehearsal" for the Artemis 2 Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, which — if it passes that crucial test with flying colors — could launch astronauts on a mission around the moon as early as Feb. 6.