NASA will return its moon rocket to the hangar for more repairs before astronauts strap in
Phys.org
February 23, 2026
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NASA's iconic moon rocket has been grounded until at least April as it heads back to the hangar for additional repairs. The decision comes after the rocket, part of the Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon, faced technical challenges during its latest round of testing. This delay underscores the complexities of preparing for deep-space missions and highlights the ongoing need for meticulous testing and adjustments.
The moon rocket, known as the Space Launch System (SLS), has faced several setbacks since its debut in 2019. These delays have pushed back plans for crewed lunar missions, with the first Artemis astronaut mission now expected to launch no earlier than late 2024. The latest issue arises from a hydrogen leak during fueling tests at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. While engineers are working to address the problem, the
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Originally published on Phys.org on 2/23/2026