NASA has postponed the launch of the Artemis II mission to March after a liquid hydrogen leak was detected during a recent wet dress rehearsal. Initially scheduled for February 8, the mission will now see four astronauts embarking on a 10-day journey around the moon.
The upcoming launch window is set between March 6 and March 11, with NASA citing the need for additional review and a second wet dress rehearsal before targeting March as the earliest possible launch opportunity. The agency explains that the launch timing is intricately tied to Earth’s rotation and the moon’s orbital patterns.
During the rehearsal, engineers identified the hydrogen leak at an interface used to channel fuel into the rocket’s core stage. Troubleshooting efforts included halting the hydrogen flow to allow seals to readjust and adjusting propellant flow. Other challenges arose with a valve and ground audio interruptions, causing delays in operations.
Despite setbacks, NASA highlighted some successes, such as completing hydrogen tanking and gathering valuable data for future missions. Plans to address the rocket issues on-site are underway to avoid the complexities of relocating the vessel, a process that entails lengthy transport times to prevent component damage.
In a statement, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the importance of such rehearsals in identifying and resolving issues pre-flight to ensure the mission’s success. Safety remains the top priority for the agency, underscoring the commitment to readiness before launching the historic mission.
The four astronauts, including Canadian Space Agency’s Jeremy Hansen and NASA’s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, have been released from quarantine due to the launch delay. They will re-enter quarantine closer to the rescheduled launch date.
Artemis II marks the second phase in the Artemis moon program, focusing on vital spacecraft functions rather than lunar surface landings. The mission serves as a precursor to the ambitious Artemis III, which aims to land astronauts on the moon’s uncharted south pole and establish a sustained human presence on the lunar surface.
NASA is yet to announce the date for the next wet dress rehearsal, with plans to evaluate data from the recent test to inform future preparations.