Nasa to launch historic Artemis II moon mission on 6 March after delays

The Guardian World

by Richard Luscombe in Miami

February 20, 2026

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NASA has announced that its historic Artemis II moon mission will now launch on 6 March, following delays caused by technical challenges. The space agency made the decision after successfully completing a fueling test earlier this month, which had previously led to a stand-down. Administrator Jared Isaacman highlighted "major progress" since the initial issue was identified during a wet dress rehearsal in February, where engineers discovered a liquid hydrogen leak in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The delay stemmed from concerns about the safety and reliability of the SLS rocket after the discovery of the hydrogen leak during the fueling test. This test is a critical final step before launch, simulating the conditions of a full countdown to ensure readiness for liftoff. The postponement reflected NASA's cautious approach to addressing technical issues, aiming to avoid risks that could compromise the mission. Despite the setback, NASA has demonstrated resilience in overcoming challenges. Since the initial leak was detected, engineers worked tirelessly to identify and resolve the issue. The successful completion of the fueling test on 24 February marked a turning point, signaling that the rocket and its systems were now ready for the next phase. Administrator Isaacman emphasized the progress made and expressed confidence in the team's ability to achieve mission success. The Artemis II mission is a pivotal step toward NASA's goal of establishing a sustained human presence on the Moon under the Artemis program. This mission will test the SLS rocket and

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Originally published on The Guardian World on 2/20/2026