NASA Delays Launch of Artemis II Lunar Mission Once Again

Wired

by Javier Carbajal, Jorge Garay

February 23, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

NASA has delayed the launch of the Artemis II lunar mission due to a helium flow failure in the SLS rocket's interim cryogenic propulsion stage during routine operations. This issue forced NASA to bring the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs, pushing the launch from March 6 to April. The helium system is critical for engine purging and fuel tank pressurization, which worked correctly in previous tests but failed this time. The delay marks another setback for Artemis II, following a series of challenges. Earlier attempts to prepare for launch were disrupted by hydrogen leaks and technical glitches during a wet dress rehearsal in February. However, a subsequent test on February 19 was successful, with no major issues detected during fueling operations. NASA had hoped to stick to the March 6 target date but faced another obstacle when helium flow failed during testing. Despite these challenges, Artemis II remains a pivotal mission for lunar exploration. The mission aims to send astronauts farther than any previous crewed spacecraft, surpassing the record set by

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Originally published on Wired on 2/23/2026