NASA’s Artemis II Mission To Send Humans To Moon May Be Delayed Due To Rocket Issue

Last Updated:February 21, 2026, 22:36 IST

NASA may delay Artemis II after engineers found a helium flow issue, impacting the March launch window. Artemis II is the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17.

NASA is considering rolling back the Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft from the launch pad after engineers detected an interruption in the flow of helium required for launch operations, the space agency said on Saturday.

“This will almost assuredly impact the March launch window," NASA said in a statement, signalling a likely delay to the highly anticipated mission.

Helium plays a critical role in rocket systems, including pressurising propellant tanks and supporting engine operations. Any irregularity in its flow is treated as a serious technical concern that must be addressed before liftoff.

What Is Artemis II?

Artemis II is NASA’s first crewed mission under the Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustainable lunar presence.

The mission will use NASA’s powerful Space Launch System (SLS) rocket to send four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a lunar flyby. Unlike the uncrewed Artemis I test mission in 2022, Artemis II will carry astronauts on a journey around the Moon before returning to Earth.

The mission is seen as a crucial step toward Artemis III, which is expected to attempt the first crewed lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.

Previous Artemis Delays

The American space agency has faced multiple delays in the Artemis programme in recent years. Artemis I, the uncrewed test flight, was postponed several times before successfully launching in November 2022.

Earlier preparations for Artemis II have also encountered technical challenges, including inspections of the heat shield and assessments of hardware. NASA had previously targeted late 2024 for launch before shifting timelines into 2025.

The latest helium flow issue adds to the list of hurdles as NASA prepares for its first crewed lunar mission in more than five decades.

Engineers are currently assessing whether the rocket needs to be rolled back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for further inspection and repairs, a process that could push the mission back by weeks or months.

Despite the setback, NASA has emphasised that safety remains the top priority as it works toward returning astronauts to deep space under the Artemis programme.

News world NASA’s Artemis II Mission To Send Humans To Moon May Be Delayed Due To Rocket Issue

Read More