NASA’s latest moon rocket faced another setback over the weekend, likely delaying astronauts’ return to the lunar surface until spring. The space agency encountered a helium flow interruption to the rocket’s upper stage just a day after scheduling the Artemis II mission for March 6, marking the first human lunar voyage in more than 50 years. Proper helium flow is crucial for engine purging and fuel tank pressurization.
This helium issue is distinct from the hydrogen fuel leaks that disrupted a recent countdown rehearsal for the Space Launch System rocket. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman suggested that a faulty filter, valve, or connection plate might be responsible for the halted helium flow, necessitating a fix at the Vehicle Assembly Building in Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Isaacman announced on social media that preparations for rollback would commence, eliminating the possibility of a March launch and shifting NASA’s next opportunities to early or late April. Earlier plans to return the 98-meter rocket for repairs raised the prospect of conducting the work at the launch pad.
Despite being disappointed by the setback, Isaacman praised NASA’s dedicated team for their efforts in preparing for the mission. The Artemis II lunar fly-around had already been delayed by hydrogen fuel leaks, with a subsequent successful fuelling test providing optimism for a March liftoff. The four astronauts entered quarantine as a precaution against infections.
The helium flow issue specifically affects the SLS rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage critical for maneuvering the Orion crew capsule into the correct high-altitude orbit for testing post-launch. Subsequently, the stage is intended to detach from Orion and function as a docking practice target for future moon missions.
In contrast to the Apollo program, which saw 24 astronauts journey to the moon between 1968 and 1972, the Artemis program has only completed one crewless lunar-orbiting mission in 2022. This initial flight was also marred by hydrogen fuel leaks before takeoff. A crewed moon landing under Artemis remains several years away.