Die NASA beginnt mit der Beladung der Rakete mit Treibstoff in einem entscheidenden Test vor dem Start der historischen Mondmission

NASA has begun a crucial test Monday of its towering Space Launch System rocket — marking one of the final steps before the vehicle launches four astronauts into deep space for the first time since the Apollo program ended more than five decades ago. The mission could launch as soon as February 8.

The hands-on test, called a “wet dress rehearsal,” involves filling up the rocket’s tanks with more than 700,000 pounds of super-chilled propellants.

The rehearsal also is expected to include a run-through of the countdown on launch day — except that during the test run the clock will be halted with less than a minute to go.