The Artemis program's first moonbound mission is nearing completion.

According to an agency blog post, the crew completed its second launch countdown sequencing test on Monday (Jan. 24), with no serious concerns noted.

"The test demonstrated the ground launch software and ground launch sequencer, which checks the health and status of the rocket sitting on the pad," NASA said in a statement, adding that another goal of the test was to get the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft to work properly with the sequencer.

"The simulated launch countdown tested the responses" from these two systems, NASA wrote in the blog, "ensuring the sequencer operates correctly. On launch day, the ground launch sequencer hands off to the rocket and spacecraft, and an automated launch sequencer takes over control of the rocket from ground controllers around 30 seconds before launch."

Using the never-flown SLS and the once-flown Orion, Artemis 1 plans to send an uncrewed spacecraft around the moon. If everything goes according to plan, NASA aims to launch a crewed, moon-orbiting Artemis 2 mission in 2024, followed by a landing with personnel for the Artemis 3 mission in 2025, and several crewed flights later in the 2020s.

There's still work to be done before Artemis 1 enters a "wet dress rehearsal" in February, during which the ground teams will load SLS with propellant and run through all prelaunch operations to guarantee the system is ready to launch.

"Up next the team will work to complete the final program specific engineering tests for the Artemis I mission," NASA said. "Teams will continue doing final checks and closeouts of the moon rocket in preparation for the wet dress rehearsal test next month."