Lightning struck the launch pad four times at NASA's Artemis 1 moon rocket on April 2, but the rocket remained in good shape as technicians worked through a critical test. NASA's first Space Launch System (SLS) rocket was undergoing a three-day fueling test known as a "wet dress rehearsal" (WDR) for its Artemis 1 mission to the moon later in 2022. The rocket is protected from lightning by three towers and a catenary wire structure to divert strikes to the ground away from the booster. On April 3, launch controllers met to review data from the strikes and the progress of the wet dress rehearsal, ultimately giving a "go" to begin fueling the rocket. Less than five hours later, NASA called off the fueling test due to a problem with ground equipment on the rocket's mobile launch platform. The testing continued on April 4, NASA is streaming live video of the rocket and spacecraft at the launch pad on the Kennedy Newsroom YouTube channel. (Source: NASA 04/04/22) Lightning strikes Artemis I mission's 'Mega Moon rocket' launch pad during tests | Live Science Gulf Coast Note: The rocket's RS-25 core stage engines' testing was conducted at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
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