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NASA Delays Artemis II, Rolling Moon Rocket Back to VAB After Helium Flow Fault

The fault prevents upper-stage tank pressurization, requiring repairs and checks before the first crewed Artemis flight.

NASA’s Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft stand vertical on mobile launcher 1 at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026. Credit: NASA/Ben Smegelsky
Artemis II moon mission delayed, rollback to VAB set for Feb 24
NASA’s Artemis II Space Launch System, or SLS, rocket and Orion spacecraft, secured to the mobile launcher, is seen inside the Vehicle Assembly building on January 16 at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Overview

  • NASA ruled out the March launch window and is working to preserve opportunities in early April pending diagnostics, repairs and schedule assessments.
  • Engineers observed interrupted helium flow to the SLS interim cryogenic propulsion stage after the Feb. 19 wet dress rehearsal, and teams used a backup method to keep the vehicle in a safe configuration.
  • Weather pushed the rollback from Feb. 24 to Feb. 25, with the 4‑mile trip to the Vehicle Assembly Building expected to take up to 12 hours.
  • Teams are investigating potential sources at ground‑to‑rocket interfaces, a filter or valve in the upper stage, and a check‑valve issue similar to one seen during Artemis I.
  • The Artemis II crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—has exited quarantine and will remain in Houston until a new target date is about two weeks away.