NASA delays moon mission to fix rocket, rules out March launch

Fortune

by Loren Grush, Bloomberg

February 22, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

NASA has delayed its highly anticipated Artemis II moon mission after discovering a technical issue with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Engineers identified an interruption in the flow of helium—a critical component for launch operations—in the upper portion of the rocket. As a result, the agency has decided to roll back the rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida for repairs. This setback comes just one day after NASA announced a March 6 target launch date, pushing the earliest possible launch to April. The helium issue is not entirely new; similar problems were encountered during the SLS's first flight in 2022. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman acknowledged the disappointment caused by this delay, emphasizing that the team has worked tirelessly to prepare for the mission. The agency conducted a dress rehearsal earlier in the week, where engineers simulated launch-day procedures and filled the rocket with propellant. Despite the successful rehearsal, the helium problem has now pushed back the timeline for what would have been humanity's first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years. This delay has significant implications for NASA's Artemis program and its broader goals of returning humans to the moon. The setback could impact public perception, partnerships with private sector companies like Boeing, and the overall budget allocated for the mission. For businesses and investors closely following NASA's progress, this delay highlights the challenges of large-scale space exploration projects and the potential financial and operational risks associated with them. The situation also underscores the importance of thorough testing and infrastructure maintenance in high-stakes endeavors like space travel. As NASA works to resolve the helium issue and prepare for the next launch attempt, stakeholders will be closely monitoring whether

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Originally published on Fortune on 2/22/2026