NASA's manned lunar mission originally scheduled for March has been postponed again

CryptocurrencySniper · 2026-02-21T19:02:29+00:00

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that the Artemis II lunar mission will be postponed due to technical issues, canceling the originally scheduled March launch. The rocket needs to be withdrawn for repairs, possibly related to the connection components of the launch tower or internal valves.

CryptocurrencySniper

2026-02-21 19:02:29

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On February 21st, local time, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson announced that due to technical issues, the Artemis II lunar flyby mission will undergo rocket withdrawal, and the originally scheduled March launch has been canceled.

Nelson stated that during routine system repressurization operations, the team was unable to allow helium to flow through the spacecraft system. This issue is similar to the fault characteristics encountered during the Artemis I mission. The spacecraft is currently in a safe state.

NASA indicated that the potential related fault may involve components at the launch pad connection or internal valve systems of the spacecraft. Regardless of the specific cause, the rocket will be withdrawn to the vehicle assembly building for inspection, which means the March launch window will no longer be considered.

On the 20th, NASA officials announced plans to launch the Artemis II crewed lunar flyby mission on March 6th. The launch had been postponed multiple times previously.

The United States announced the Artemis lunar landing program in 2019 and completed the uncrewed Artemis I lunar flyby test in November 2022. After the Artemis II mission is completed, NASA will also advance the Artemis III crewed lunar landing mission to return American astronauts to the Moon — but the lunar lander required for this mission is still under development. According to the plan, during the approximately 10-day Artemis II mission, four astronauts will travel around the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft.

(Source: CCTV News)

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