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Artemis 2 Moon Mission Delayed by Technical Glitch
22 Feb
Summary
- Artemis 2, a crewed moon flyby, faces a delay due to a helium flow issue.
- The mission's launch window in March is now out of consideration.
- NASA targets April for a potential new launch opportunity.
The Artemis 2 mission, NASA's planned crewed flyby of the moon, will not launch as scheduled next month due to technical problems. An issue with helium flow to the massive Space Launch System (SLS) rocket has rendered the March launch window unachievable. This essential helium flow is required for purging the rocket's engines and pressurizing its fuel tanks.
NASA now anticipates its next launch opportunity to be in April. This mission aims to be the first crewed flight beyond Earth orbit in over fifty years. It serves as a precursor to the Artemis 3 mission, targeting a lunar landing in 2028.
The Artemis 2 mission involves a 10-day flight around the moon and back, with a crew of three US astronauts and one Canadian astronaut. This journey is set to be the farthest human flight into space ever. China is also advancing its lunar ambitions, with plans for a crewed mission by 2030 and an uncrewed exploration mission in 2026.
The SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft will be returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building at the Kennedy Space Center for investigation and repairs. Potential causes for the helium flow problem include a faulty filter, valve, or connection plate. A comprehensive briefing is expected in the coming days.
