As NASA gears up for the highly anticipated Artemis II mission, the space agency is preparing for a crucial test that will determine the readiness of its powerful Moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS).
This essential “wet dress rehearsal” simulates a full launch day, allowing engineers to fill the SLS rocket with fuel and perform all launch operations up to 30 seconds before liftoff, mimicking real mission conditions.
The results of this rehearsal will be instrumental for engineers and mission managers to evaluate the booster’s performance and overall readiness for the Artemis II mission.
Set to launch by Sunday, Artemis II will embark on a groundbreaking 10-day mission, taking four astronauts farther from Earth than any humans have ventured before.
However, the actual launch date will heavily rely on the outcomes from the wet dress rehearsal.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman will hold a press conference with the Artemis II crew on January 17th at Kennedy Space Center. Joe Radle/Getty Images
“We’ll take some time to review the data and prepare for launch,” stated Artemis launch director Charlie Blackwell Thompson during last month’s press conference.
If the rehearsal proceeds without issues, NASA could announce a targeted launch date in a matter of days. Conversely, any problems could lead to mission delays.
Engineers and mission managers will execute a countdown to the mock launch scheduled for 9 PM ET on Monday. Over 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellant will be loaded into the SLS in the hours leading up to the test, with NASA planning to livestream this crucial process. For more information, check out the Artemis Rocket 24/7 Live Stream at the launch pad.
As part of the rehearsal, mission managers will simulate the countdown several times during the final 10 minutes, which will provide essential data on the rocket’s systems, including an automated control that engages 30 seconds prior to launch.
Artemis II marks NASA’s second mission using the Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule, with this being the inaugural crewed flight—a pivotal step toward NASA’s goal of returning astronauts to the lunar surface.
The Artemis II crew consists of NASA astronauts Reed Wiseman, Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, who have been in isolation at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston to ensure they remain healthy prior to the mission.
On January 17, NASA successfully positioned the Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion capsule at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The agency initially planned a wet dress rehearsal for Saturday but rescheduled due to unexpected cold weather across the Southeast and mid-Atlantic.
NASA’s Artemis II at Kennedy Space Center on January 17th. Joe Radle/Getty Images
Due to the scheduling changes, NASA has eliminated the first two launch windows (Friday and Saturday) for this month, which ends on February 11th. If additional launch opportunities arise, slots may also be opened in March and April.
Ensuring a successful wet dress rehearsal is crucial for a smooth launch this month.
Should issues arise during testing, NASA may need to return the rocket to the vehicle assembly building, reminiscent of the six-month delay faced by Artemis I’s unmanned lunar orbit flight after a hydrogen leak was detected during its initial wet dress rehearsal.
Initially a mini-game in Project Gotham, this fast-paced twin-stick shooter, inspired by the 80s, was transformed into an exclusive digital title that gained a massive following. With its stylish vector graphics and rapid gameplay, it was the first to showcase the potential of Xbox Live Arcade.
Fast, frenetic, and incredibly stylish…Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved. Photo: Microsoft A time sink on an epic scale… The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (Screenshot of the 2025 remake) Photo: Bethesda Softworks
Countless hours were devoted to this groundbreaking open-world RPG. As one of the pioneers in true exploration, it allowed players to traverse anywhere and engage in countless activities. Journeys through Cyrodiil became adventures filled with unexpected mischief, often overshadowing the main quest of combating the gates of hell.
Uno (2006)
The most addictive rendition of the classic card game… Uno on Xbox 360 Photo: Carbonated Games/Microsoft
There’s no denying it – Uno was one of the pivotal Xbox 360 titles. A staple for many of us, it was thrilling to play with a webcam that allowed us to witness our rivals’ expressions during intense Wild Draw 4 moments. As one of the earliest accessible multiplayer game options for consoles, it often diverted players from more complex titles such as Halo or Mass Effect into late-night Uno sessions, leaving echoes of its calming sound effects lingering in our dreams.
Viva Pinata (2006)
Darwinian brutality? …Viva Piñata. Photo: Microsoft
Cultivate a stunning garden, attract vibrant piñata creatures, and watch chaotic predation unfold. While there’s an unexpected level of Darwinian cruelty lurking beneath this seemingly family-friendly game, many weekends in the 2000s were spent nurturing dangerous additions to our paradise. Orstachio lives on forever.
Bioshock (2007)
This half-dystopian adventure and critique of Ayn Rand’s Objectivism allows players to delve into a submerged metropolis fashioned by a megalomaniacal tycoon driven by radical social experiments. Can you draw parallels to today’s technological corporate elite?
Modern parallels… Bioshock. Photo: absurdity
Halo 3 (2007)
An endlessly enjoyable shooting game…Halo 3 Photo: Xbox Game Studios
While Halo may never replicate the charm of its original trilogy, it remains an expansive shooter of its era, concluding the grand space saga of the franchise. Unlike the linear shooter experiences of today, Halo promotes strategic engagement with clever adversaries and an infinite playground for chaos. Yet, the multiplayer experience is what truly resonates in memory—massive encounters powered by vehicles, customizable settings, and the ingenious Forge map editor offered unending fun.
Mass Effect (2007)
Is it better than Star Wars?…Mass Effect Photo: Electronic Arts
BioWare’s expansive sci-fi trilogy may have stumbled to an imperfect conclusion, yet its blend of interstellar battles and romantic encounters retained fans’ fascination for years. Merging RPG elements, strategic squad combat, and a compelling existential dilemma (an evil race of sentient ships), Mass Effect unfolds an unforgettable space opera featuring characters with deep emotional connections.
Fable II (2008)
Easy to enjoy…Fable II. Photo: Microsoft
Lionhead’s distinctly British fantasy title feels lively, engaging, and accessible. Although it may be completed faster than expected, its charm and character resonate more than many other RPGs on Xbox. Bursting with imaginative elements, it fosters the thrill of adventure, and let’s not forget the lovable canine sidekick, despite our enduring grief from his fate in the game.
Gears of War 2 (2008)
The ultimate testosterone-filled cover shooter…Gears of War 2. Photo: Epic Games
Gears 2 enhances its predecessor’s robust mechanics, delivering a premier cover shooter experience that features burly soldiers confronting an alien Horde in a frenzy of obliteration and chainsaw mayhem. Moreover, the introduction of the adrenaline-fueled horde mode initiated the wave-based survival challenge craze.
Lost Odyssey (2008)
Like a forgotten Final Fantasy…Lost Odyssey Photo: Mist Walker
For a brief period, Microsoft endeavored to solidify the Xbox’s presence in Japan, inviting renowned Japanese developers to create exclusive titles. While many of these titles failed, Lost Odyssey stands out, exploring humanity’s journey amidst rapid technological change. Directed by Final Fantasy veteran Hironobu Sakaguchi, it captures the essence of a missing entry from the beloved series.
Ninja Gaiden II (2008)
Choreographed violence…Ninja Gaiden II Photo: Team NINJA
Before Dark Souls, Tecmo’s notorious action series left players either infuriated or exhilarated, with beautifully orchestrated combat letting players sever limbs and unleash stylish attacks. The game brilliantly channels the spirit of classic 80s ninja films, filled with captivating locales and an arsenal of sharp weaponry.
Rock Band 2 (2008)
Rock out forever…Rock Band 2 Photo: Harmonix Music Systems
The ultimate party game, a timeless classic. After pioneering Guitar Hero, Harmonix transitioned into creating Rock Band, a collaborative music experience that invites players to sing, play, and drum using fun plastic instruments. With an exceptional setlist featuring beloved pop-punk and classic rock tunes, Rock Band 2 also offers one of the smoothest gameplay experiences available, whether playing online or with friends in person.
Limbo (2010)
It makes me feel anxious…Limbo. Photo: Triple Point
This artful title, which helped establish Xbox Live Arcade as a platform for experimental gaming, is a haunting puzzle-platformer about a boy’s journey through a hellish, monochromatic world in search of his missing sister. Selling a million copies in its first year, it proved there remains a demand for unique and avant-garde gaming experiences.
Forza Horizon (2012)
Fresh…Forza Horizon. Photo: Microsoft
Project Gotham and Forza Motorsport laid the groundwork, yet Horizon breathed new life into the franchise. It’s an exhilarating driving festival featuring a plethora of activities, from circuit races to stunning stunts, all set in a breathtaking Colorado backdrop dotted with charming roads and vintage automobiles. A perfect blend of gaming and virtual tourism.
Trials Evolution (2012)
Very difficult…Trials Evolution Photo: Ubisoft
Upon its release, Trials Evolution captivated a vast section of the Xbox Live Arcade audience, igniting an obsession with challenging physics-based motorcycle trials. Featuring tight controls and requiring unwavering concentration, this game delivers a rewarding experience, complete with four-player multiplayer and an impressive level editor.
SpaceX is set to launch the Starship Megarocket on a crucial test flight this Tuesday, following two earlier unsuccessful attempts. Both previous launches ended in failure when the upper-stage vessels exploded in the Gulf of Mexico and parts of the Caribbean, resulting in substantial debris.
The upcoming Non-White Crime Launch, marking Starship’s 9th Test Flight, is scheduled for liftoff from the Starbase facility in Texas, with a launch window opening at 7:30 PM.
Standing at 400 feet, this spacecraft represents the most powerful rocket ever created and comprises two main components: a first-stage booster known as Super Heavy and the upper-stage spaceship. The Megarocket is central to CEO Elon Musk’s ambitions for Mars exploration.
Following Tuesday’s test flight, Musk is anticipated to deliver a presentation from Texas titled “The Road to the Road Beyond the Lifespan.”
Musk has recently shifted his focus back to SpaceX and Tesla, having stepped back from his prominent presence in the Trump administration. Since the start of the current presidential term, he has overseen significant layoffs across the federal government as part of efficiency initiatives.
Future testing will be closely monitored following the two prior failures of Starship. This will be the first flight utilizing the Super Heavy booster from a previous mission, which successfully returned to Earth.
SpaceX aims for Starship to be a completely reusable system. In three previous test flights, the company successfully executed a spectacular “catch” maneuver, returning the Super Heavy booster to the launch tower’s robotic arm.
The Starship’s most recent flight in early March was cut short after mission control lost contact with the upper vehicle approximately nine minutes post-liftoff.
Footage from Florida and the Caribbean revealed a cloud of smoke, with debris scattered across the sky. The Florida airport issued a temporary ground stop due to “space-fired debris.”
In another test on January 16th, the upper-stage vehicle exploded over the Caribbean, with dust and debris falling on the Turks and Caicos islands; fortunately, local authorities reported no injuries or significant property damage.
The Federal Aviation Administration is conducting an investigation into both incidents and confirmed last week that SpaceX must pause flights again, enlarging the hazard zone along the rocket’s path in accordance with updated safety protocols.
While previous flights had a hazard zone extending 885 nautical miles, Tuesday’s mission will see this area expand to 1,600 nautical miles, affecting the Florida Channel and covering both land and water at launch sites in South Texas, including the Bahamas and Turks and Caicos.
In this latest test flight, SpaceX plans to experiment with various “nominal scenarios” using the Super Heavy booster. Consequently, the first stage will not return to the launch site as part of the catch maneuver. According to the company.
Once in orbit, the upper-stage vehicle will attempt to deploy eight simulated Starlink satellites, which are designed to burn up upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. The mission control team will also aim to re-ignite one of the Raptor engines while in space.
Musk envisions using the spacecraft for future Mars missions, but SpaceX officials indicate that humans will likely complete hundreds of test runs before embarking on journeys with the next-generation rocket.
Xbox has faced some challenges this year. Leaked announcements in January and February about games previously exclusive to Xbox coming to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch caused uproar among fans, leading to concerns about Microsoft’s commitment to Xbox exclusivity. However, only four games remained exclusive, as clarified by Xbox executives. In May, Xbox closed two popular studios, Tango Gameworks and Arkane Austin. Meanwhile, sales of Xbox Series X/S consoles have been slow, with analysts noting a significant increase in PlayStation 5 sales.
The Xbox Games Showcase aimed to turn the tide for Microsoft, featuring big-budget games like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, a new Indiana Jones game, and the return of Gears of War. Microsoft’s Game Pass service, which offers a monthly library of games, received a $1 billion investment. Following the merger with Activision Blizzard, Microsoft now boasts a vast number of game studios.
Exclusive Xbox games showcased included Perfect Dark and State of Decay 3, among others. The event also featured trailers for upcoming games like Fable, STALKER: Shadow of Chernobyl, and Flight Simulator. The show ended with a reveal of Gears of War: E-Day, set against an alien invasion.
The showcase also featured independent games like Mixtape and FragPunk, offering a diverse range of gameplay experiences. Overall, the event was well-received by Xbox fans and provided a positive outlook for the company after a challenging year. Compared to PlayStation’s game lineup, Xbox’s offerings for 2024 and 2025 appear more robust.
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