NASA moves its Artemis II moon rocket off the launch pad for more repairs - AP News
AP News
February 25, 2026
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NASA has once again delayed its Artemis II moon rocket mission due to unexpected issues requiring additional repairs. The spacecraft was moved off the launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking another setback for the ambitious lunar exploration program. This delay follows several previous technical challenges, including hydrogen leaks and valve problems, which have pushed back the launch date multiple times.
The Artemis II mission, set to be NASA's first crewed flight to the Moon in over five decades, was initially scheduled for a test run without astronauts onboard before sending humans around the Moon by 2025. However, recurring technical issues have caused significant delays, with no clear timeline for when the rocket will finally launch. This latest repair window is expected to last several weeks, further complicating NASA's ambitious plans to return humans to the lunar surface.
The challenges faced by the Artemis II program highlight the complexities of large-scale space exploration. While delays are not uncommon in such high-stakes endeavors, they can create frustration among stakeholders and delay progress toward broader goals, such as establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon or eventually sending astronauts to Mars. NASA
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Originally published on AP News on 2/25/2026