NASA Artemis II Moon Rocket Fuel Test Delays Launch to March After Hydrogen Leaks

NASA's Artemis II moon rocket test was delayed because of liquid hydrogen leaks. The earliest launch is now March, which is later than originally hoped.
By Newsroom | Space Exploration, United States |

A critical test of NASA's moon rocket has concluded, with the results directly impacting the timeline for the Artemis II mission. This mission, carrying four astronauts, aims to orbit the moon. The success of this fueling test, known as a wet dress rehearsal, is a prerequisite for setting an official launch date. While a previous rehearsal occurred earlier in February, issues with super-cold liquid hydrogen escaping from connections between the rocket and the launch pad were observed. NASA now intends to conduct a second rehearsal to ensure all systems are ready for the demanding flight.

NASA conducts second rocket fueling test that will decide when Artemis astronauts head to the moon - 1

Mission Context and Test Objectives

The Artemis II mission is a precursor to future lunar landings, with a later Artemis III mission targeting a landing near the moon's south pole. The Artemis II flight test itself is not intended to land astronauts on the moon but will involve a lunar fly-around. The Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, standing 322 feet (98 meters) tall, is central to this endeavor, carrying the Orion spacecraft. The wet dress rehearsal is a vital procedure designed to load the rocket's tanks with cryogenic propellants—liquid hydrogen and oxygen—and to identify and resolve any technical issues before an actual launch attempt.

Read More: NASA Artemis 2 Rocket Fueling Test on February 2nd Affects Moon Mission Launch Date

NASA conducts second rocket fueling test that will decide when Artemis astronauts head to the moon - 2

The primary objective of the fueling test is to validate the rocket's systems and fuel handling procedures, directly influencing the earliest possible launch window for the Artemis II mission.

NASA conducts second rocket fueling test that will decide when Artemis astronauts head to the moon - 3

Timeline of Events

  • January 27, 2026: NASA announced a decision to move a critical fueling test for the Artemis II moon rocket to January 31st. This test was considered the rocket's last major hurdle before launch.

  • Early February 2026 (specific date not in data, but preceding Feb 3rd): NASA conducted a wet dress rehearsal. During this test, teams successfully loaded cryogenic propellant into the SLS tanks. However, several "dropouts" (implying unintended occurrences or failures) were reoccurring, specifically involving super-cold liquid hydrogen escaping from the connections between the launch pad and the rocket.

  • February 3, 2026: NASA announced the conclusion of the wet dress rehearsal. The agency indicated that a second rehearsal would be necessary to allow teams to review data and address identified issues.

  • Current Timeline: Following the February 3rd announcement, March is now targeted as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the Artemis II flight test. A definitive launch date will not be set until after NASA successfully completes another wet dress rehearsal.

Key Actors and Components

  • NASA: The space agency responsible for the Artemis program and the execution of the moon missions.

  • Artemis II Astronauts: A crew of four astronauts will embark on this lunar orbital mission.

  • Space Launch System (SLS) Rocket: NASA's powerful rocket designed for deep space exploration.

  • Orion Spacecraft: The capsule that will carry the astronauts.

  • Launch Pad: The infrastructure at Kennedy Space Center from which the rocket will launch.

  • Isaacman: Identified in one article as someone involved with promises to redesign fuel connections before the Artemis III launch, though his specific role in the Artemis II fueling test is not detailed.

Technical Challenges Observed

During the initial wet dress rehearsal in early February, specific technical challenges were noted:

NASA conducts second rocket fueling test that will decide when Artemis astronauts head to the moon - 4

  • Liquid Hydrogen Leaks: "Dangerous amounts of supercold liquid hydrogen escaped from the connections between the pad and the … Space Launch System rocket." This suggests a significant issue with the sealing or integrity of the fuel lines during the loading process.

  • "Several dropouts reoccurred": This phrase, used in relation to the tanking operations, implies that particular steps or functions within the rehearsal did not proceed as expected or were interrupted.

The escape of liquid hydrogen and the occurrence of "dropouts" indicate that the fueling system requires further inspection and potentially modification before a crewed launch can be safely undertaken.

Path Forward: A Second Rehearsal

To address the issues observed during the first wet dress rehearsal, NASA has scheduled a second attempt.

Read More: Moon Shrinking Causes New Cracks Affecting Future NASA Landing Sites in 2026

  • Purpose: This repeat rehearsal will allow engineers to gather more data, analyze the root causes of the hydrogen leaks and other dropouts, and verify any implemented corrections.

  • Impact on Launch Date: Committing to a new launch date for Artemis II is contingent upon the successful completion of this second rehearsal. Until then, the earliest target remains March.

The outcome of this second fueling demonstration is presented as a decisive factor in determining when Artemis astronauts will embark on their journey around the moon.

Conclusion

The recent fueling test for NASA's Artemis II mission has illuminated technical hurdles that necessitate further investigation and validation. The observed leaks of super-cold liquid hydrogen from the rocket's connections are a primary concern. Consequently, NASA has postponed the official launch date, now targeting March as the earliest possible opportunity, pending the successful completion of a second wet dress rehearsal. This second test will be pivotal in assessing the readiness of the Space Launch System rocket and ensuring the safety of the four-person crew before they undertake their mission to orbit the moon.

Sources

  • AP News: NASA conducts second rocket fueling test that will decide when Artemis astronauts head to the moon

  • URL: https://apnews.com/article/nasa-artemis-astronauts-moon-1dda9afe42ca59e34db567ec1b6cc2b6

  • Context: Reports on the immediate implications of the fueling test for the Artemis II launch date and notes specific technical issues encountered.

  • USA Today: NASA to rehearse Artemis 2 moon launch again today. What to know

  • URL: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2026/02/19/nasa-artemis-2-rocket-launch-test/88735620007/

  • Context: Provides context on the upcoming second rehearsal and the conditions for setting a launch date.

  • NASA: NASA Conducts Artemis II Fuel Test, Eyes March for Launch Opportunity

  • URL: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/02/03/nasa-conducts-artemis-ii-fuel-test-eyes-march-for-launch-opportunity/

  • Context: Official confirmation of the first fueling test completion, the identification of issues, and the targeting of March for a potential launch.

  • Phys.org: NASA fuels its moon rocket in a crucial test to decide when Artemis astronauts will launch

  • URL: https://phys.org/news/2026-02-nasa-fuels-moon-rocket-crucial.html

  • Context: Details the fueling process and its critical nature for the Artemis II launch timeline.

  • Space.com: NASA moves critical fueling test for Artemis 2 moon rocket up to Jan. 31

  • URL: https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-moves-critical-fueling-test-for-artemis-2-moon-rocket-up-to-jan-31

  • Context: Reports on the scheduling of the initial fueling test as a major pre-launch milestone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did NASA need to do another rocket fueling test for Artemis II?
NASA needed to do a second fueling test because the first one in early February 2026 found problems. Liquid hydrogen leaked from the rocket and launch pad connections, and other issues called 'dropouts' happened.
Q: When is the earliest NASA might launch the Artemis II mission now?
The earliest possible time NASA could launch the Artemis II mission is in March 2026. This date is not final and depends on the success of the next fueling test.
Q: What happened during the first Artemis II rocket fueling test?
During the first fueling test in early February 2026, NASA loaded the rocket with super-cold liquid hydrogen and oxygen. However, liquid hydrogen leaked from the connections, and some other parts of the test did not work as planned.
Q: What is the purpose of the Artemis II mission?
The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on a trip around the moon. It is a test flight before NASA sends astronauts to land on the moon in later missions.
Q: What is a 'wet dress rehearsal' for a rocket?
A 'wet dress rehearsal' is a practice run where NASA loads the rocket with its fuel and checks all the systems. It is done to make sure everything is working correctly before the actual launch.