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NASA has postponed the first crewed mission to the Moon under the Artemis 2 program until next spring due to a new technical issue with the launch system.
The agency explained that the rocket designated for the mission, part of the Space Launch System (SLS), encountered a problem with the helium gas flow to the upper stage, a crucial element used to purge the engines and maintain fuel tank pressure.
NASA confirmed that this malfunction is separate from the previous issue related to a hydrogen fuel leak, which had previously disrupted the countdown test and required retesting.
The agency stated that it is currently reviewing the engineering data related to the malfunction and is preparing to return the Artemis 2 rocket, which stands about 98 meters tall, to the maintenance facility. The technical teams are also considering the possibility of conducting repairs directly on the launch platform if it is technically feasible.
Artemis 2 is set to be the first crewed mission in the return to the Moon program, expected to carry astronauts on a flyby mission around the Moon in preparation for future human landings on its surface as part of subsequent phases of the Artemis program.
