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Critical rocket defect? NASA postpones historic Artemis II mission again
2026-02-25 16:26:13 / BOTA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration has again postponed the launch of the long-awaited Artemis II mission after discovering a technical problem with the helium leak system. The launch, originally scheduled for March 6, has been pushed back to at least April 2026.
The defect was identified during routine overnight operations at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center, just days after NASA announced the target launch date. According to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, the technical team failed to ensure the proper flow of helium during an operation to re-pressurize the system.
The problem is related to the Intermediate Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), a key component that serves to pressurize fuel tanks and safely purge engines before ignition.
Due to this outage, the 332-foot-long Space Launch System rocket will return to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), where engineers will partially disassemble components to inspect filters, valves and connecting plates.
This development rules out any possibility of a March launch. The next possible launch windows are April 1 and April 3-6, determined by the Earth-Moon orbital positioning and safe re-entry conditions. Earlier this month, technicians discovered another helium leak during a general fuel test, which was successfully resolved on the launch pad.
However, the latest glitch has forced the space agency to take additional safety measures before continuing with the historic mission to the Moon.
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