NASA has postponed the highly anticipated Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission, originally targeting a March 2026 launch, due to unresolved technical issues with its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket. Agency chief Jared Isaacman confirmed the delay in a public statement on Saturday, citing irregularities in helium flow systems detected during final testing.
The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will now undergo detailed inspections at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, with engineers working to address the complications. Isaacman emphasized that setbacks are inherent to ambitious space programs, drawing parallels to challenges faced during the historic Apollo missions of the 1960s.
Artemis II, which will carry three American astronauts and one Canadian astronaut on a 10-day lunar orbit mission, represents humanity's first crewed moon mission since 1972. The program has faced multiple delays since its inception, including technical setbacks during February's wet dress rehearsal tests.
NASA plans to announce a revised launch timeline following comprehensive system evaluations. The delay comes as space agencies across Asia intensify their lunar exploration efforts, with several countries planning robotic missions to the moon's south pole this year.
