NASA's Artemis II mission encountered a new technical issue when helium flow to the rocket's upper stage was disrupted overnight. The problem threatens the planned March 6 launch date for what would be humanity's first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A fresh technical complication has struck NASA’s ambitious moon mission, casting doubt on the scheduled March launch that would carry astronauts on humanity’s first lunar journey in more than five decades, space agency officials announced Saturday.
The space agency disclosed this newest obstacle just 24 hours after setting March 6 as the target date for the historic Artemis II mission. During the night, engineers discovered that helium circulation to the rocket’s upper section had been disrupted — a critical component that must function properly for any launch attempt to proceed.
Space agency officials stated they are analyzing all available information and making preparations to potentially move the Space Launch System rocket back to its repair facility at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. However, they noted that maintenance work might be completed directly at the launch site, with engineering teams preparing contingency plans for either scenario.
“This will almost assuredly impact the March launch window,” NASA said in a statement.
The Artemis II lunar flyby mission had previously been pushed back by one month due to hydrogen fuel leak issues. Engineers conducted a second fuel loading test Thursday that showed minimal leakage problems, which had given mission leaders enough confidence to set the early March launch target.
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