NASA Artemis 2 Moon Mission Delayed After Rocket Issues

NASA Artemis 2 mission delayed after the US space agency postponed its historic crewed Moon flight.

NASA announced the delay in a blog update. The agency planned to launch the Artemis 2 mission on February 8. Officials now moved the launch to March.

The mission will send four astronauts around the Moon. This flight will mark the first human mission to the Moon’s orbit in more than 50 years.

The agency NASA made the decision after completing a full launch rehearsal. Engineers tested the rocket systems during this practice run.

Teams faced several problems during the rehearsal. Cold weather delayed the start. Engineers also detected hydrogen leak issues in the rocket engine.

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NASA said the delay will allow experts to study the data. Teams will prepare for another launch rehearsal. Officials want to ensure all systems work safely.

Team NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman shared an update on X. He said the last launch of the SLS rocket took place three years ago during Artemis 1. He added that teams expected technical challenges and conducted the rehearsal to identify them.

NASA last sent humans toward the Moon in 1972 during the Apollo program. Artemis 2 will mark the return of deep space human travel after more than five decades.

The 10-day mission will carry four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. They will test life support systems. These systems will support longer missions in the future.

The spacecraft will orbit Earth twice before heading toward the far side of the Moon. Astronauts will not land on the Moon. However, they will travel beyond low Earth orbit for the first time since 1972.

NASA officials stressed that safety remains the top priority. Engineers continue to review systems carefully as NASA Artemis 2 moon mission delayed preparations move forward.