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NASA Rules Out March Artemis II Launch After Helium Flow Anomaly Forces Rollback

An anomalous helium flow has ruled out a March attempt by requiring repairs in the assembly building.

Overview

  • Administrator Jared Isaacman said teams could not establish the required helium flow in one rocket stage, prompting a return to the Vehicle Assembly Building for inspection and repair.
  • NASA had completed a full wet dress rehearsal with successful tanking and a simulated countdown after an earlier test was cut short by a liquid hydrogen leak.
  • Officials had targeted no earlier than March 6 with multiple evening launch windows, but March is now off the table and April opportunities remain possible though unset.
  • The four-person crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen—entered quarantine for a potential early‑March launch and may adjust status following the delay.
  • Artemis II is a roughly 10‑day lunar flyby intended to pave the way for Artemis III, with the broader schedule still influenced by downstream elements such as lunar lander readiness.