NASA has postponed the launch of its long‑anticipated Artemis 2 mission once again. During routine checks, the agency identified a number of problems that would preclude a launch at the present time. The mission-set to send astronauts to the Moon for the first time in 50 years-may still receive the green light within a few weeks.
Further maintenance work is required, leading to additional delays. Four astronauts are preparing for a planned ten‑day journey to the far side of the Moon and back, a trip that would mark humanity’s farthest excursion into space to date.
A key issue that emerged is an interruption in the helium supply, which is essential for pressurizing fuel tanks and cooling rocket systems. The disturbance is regarded as a serious technical problem. The latest test, the second attempt at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, followed earlier problems with filters and seals that had been fixed.
The first launch window in early February had already been moved because of a hydrogen leak, and the March launch window now appears unlikely to be maintained either.