A day after expressing optimism about a potential launch next month, NASA announced a setback for the Artemis II mission, originally planned to orbit the Moon. On Saturday, the space agency's administrator revealed that a problem concerning helium flow in the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket's upper stage necessitates the rocket's removal from its current position at a Florida launch pad.
The issue emerged Friday evening when data indicated a disruption in helium flow, as reported by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on X, formerly known as Twitter. In a detailed update on Saturday, Isaacman stated that engineers are still investigating the root cause of the problem. He emphasized that any repairs must be undertaken inside the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB).
This decision requires NASA and partner teams to prepare for transporting the 322-foot-tall (98-meter) rocket from Launch Complex 39B back to the VAB. The transportation entails a 4-mile journey on NASA's crawler-transporter.
"Regardless of the potential fault, accessing and remediating any of these issues can only be performed in the VAB," Isaacman said. He added that this development eliminates the possibility of utilizing the March launch window. "While understanding the disappointment this causes, especially among NASA's diligent team, preparations for rollback are essential," he mentioned.
NASA had aimed to initiate the Artemis II mission as soon as March 6, within one of its five available launch windows in that month. Each month offers roughly five days when the mission can embark, factoring in the Moon's orbit, the flight path, and thermal and lighting constraints. The subsequent series of launch dates begins April 1.
Earlier this month, NASA skipped potential launch dates following a hydrogen leak detected during an SLS rocket fueling test. Seals in the fueling line leading into the rocket's core stage were replaced, and another fueling test was successfully completed Thursday with no significant leaks. This had initially boosted hopes for a potential launch next month. However, the newly discovered helium issue has now postponed the March opportunities.