NASA Delays Artemis II Launch Due to Helium Flow Issue

NASA is likely facing another delay for the Artemis II mission around the moon, as a problem with helium flow was identified late Friday night.

The agency revealed on Saturday that both the rocket and the Orion spacecraft may need to be returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This decision comes after crew members noted an interruption in the helium flow during the rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion phase.

Helium, as explained by NASA, is critical for maintaining proper conditions for the stage’s engines and for pressurizing the liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen tanks.

During Artemis’ “wet dress rehearsal,” the helium functioned correctly. However, after this rehearsal on February 19, “the team found that they couldn’t achieve the necessary helium flow during regular operations.”

“Operators are using backup methods to ensure safe environmental conditions for the upper stage engine and the rocket,” NASA stated.

Initially, NASA had targeted March 6 for the launch. Now, they suggest that the moon mission might not happen until April.

“With the rollback, NASA will not be able to launch Artemis II during the March window,” the agency communicated on Saturday. “Yet, if preparations proceed quickly, we could still aim for an April launch depending on outcomes from ongoing assessments, repair efforts, and how the schedule develops in the upcoming days and weeks.”

This mission will transport four astronauts—Americans Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Jeremy Hansen—on what is set to be the longest-distance manned spaceflight ever, circling the moon and returning to Earth.

It’s also notable since it represents the first lunar exploration since the Apollo program concluded back in 1972.

Just last month, the mission faced delays due to a fuel leak found during a separate test run. Artemis I had previously achieved a successful unmanned launch and orbit of the moon in 2022.