NASA to Delay Artemis II Moon Mission After Technical Issue

NASA is preparing to roll its massive Moon rocket back from the launch pad following the discovery of a technical issue, a move that is likely to delay the highly anticipated crewed lunar mission Artemis II.

The space agency announced Saturday that it plans to return the Space Launch System rocket, built by Boeing, to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida to address a problem identified in the upper stage of the vehicle.

NASA engineers detected an interruption in the flow of helium, a critical component required for the launch process. The agency said the issue will almost certainly affect the planned March launch window.

In a blog post, NASA stated that updates will continue as teams work to resolve the technical challenge.

The setback comes just one day after the agency announced it was targeting March 6 for the launch of Artemis II, which aims to send a four-member crew on a mission around the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

Earlier this week, NASA conducted a comprehensive rehearsal with the rocket, fueling the vehicle and simulating key steps of launch day operations. The successful test had reinforced expectations that the mission would proceed on schedule.

The Artemis II mission is a cornerstone of NASA’s broader Artemis program, designed to reestablish a sustained human presence on and around the Moon and lay the groundwork for future missions to Mars.

The potential delay highlights the complexity of modern crewed spaceflight and the rigorous safety standards governing NASA’s return to deep space exploration.