What Happened
Technical Issues Force Delay of First Crewed Space Launch System Flight
NASA has delayed the launch of its Artemis II mission, pushing the first crewed flight of the Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft to March 2026 at the earliest. The decision follows technical issues encountered during a critical prelaunch test, including liquid hydrogen leaks near the base of the Space Launch System rocket. The mission, which will send four astronauts on a multi-day journey around the Moon, is a milestone for NASA’s Artemis program. The delay was first reported by AeroTime.