NASA Pushes Artemis II Launch to March After Leak

Washington, DC — NASA has officially delayed the Artemis II mission — the first crewed flight around the Moon in more than 50 years — pushing the target launch to no earlier than March 2026. The agency announced the postponement on February 3, 2026, following issues encountered during a critical “wet dress rehearsal” test at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The ten-day mission will send four astronauts — NASA’s Reid Wiseman (commander), Victor Glover (pilot), Christina Koch (mission specialist), and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (mission specialist) — farther into space than any humans since the Apollo era. The flight will test the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, without landing, paving the way for future lunar landings under the Artemis program.

Reasons for the Delay

The delay stems from problems during the wet dress rehearsal, a full countdown simulation that includes fueling the SLS rocket with cryogenic propellants. Key issues included:

• A liquid hydrogen leak detected while loading propellant into the core stage.
• Additional challenges with a valve related to Orion crew module hatch pressurization (requiring retorquing).
• Extended closeout operations and communication system anomalies with the crew capsule.

Cold weather contributed to a delayed start of the test, but the primary concerns centered on the hydrogen leak and related systems. NASA stated that the February launch window (which extended through February 11) has been abandoned to allow teams to fully review test data, address each issue, and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal.

“NASA now will target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the flight test,” the agency said in an official update. Specific launch windows in March include March 6–9 and March 11, with backup opportunities in April if needed.

Due to the shift, the Artemis II crew — who entered quarantine in Houston on January 20 — has been released from quarantine. They will re-enter quarantine approximately two weeks before the next targeted launch attempt.

Broader Context and Program Priorities

The postponement reflects NASA’s commitment to safety and thorough testing amid the high-stakes return to human lunar exploration. Artemis II follows the successful uncrewed Artemis I mission in 2022 and sets the stage for Artemis III, which aims to land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon’s surface (currently targeted for no earlier than mid-2027, pending further reviews).

The delay comes under the current administration’s focus on accelerating space exploration while maintaining rigorous standards. NASA Administrator (or relevant leadership) has emphasized that “safety is the top priority,” with teams working around the clock to resolve the technical hurdles.

No major changes to the mission profile were reported, and the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft remain at Launch Complex 39B for continued preparations.

What’s Next

Teams will analyze data from the recent test, implement fixes, and schedule the additional rehearsal. An official target launch date within the March window will be set once issues are mitigated.

The Artemis program continues to draw global attention as a stepping stone toward sustainable lunar presence and eventual human missions to Mars.

This is a developing story. ClickUSAnews.com will provide updates as NASA announces a firm launch target or further test results.

Sources: NASA official blog and statements

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