NASA’s first crewed moon mission in decades was delayed as its engineers grapple with an all-too-familiar rocket problem: hydrogen leaks. Fixing the issue is even trickier than it may seem.

The second wet dress rehearsal for the Artemis II mission continues as teams power up the rocket’s core stage — which contains propellant tanks — and charge the Orion spacecraft’s flight batteries. Tomorrow, teams will practice fueling the rocket. https://t.co/R6CRW9PcdO pic.twitter.com/l80UhQ6hhn — NASA (@NASA) February 18, 2026

NASA’s Artemis II mission relies on engineers, specialists, and transport systems to move the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launch pad for the 2026 Moon mission.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. With the giant SLS rocket on its Florida launch pad and the four astronauts of Artemis II preparing to make history as they fly around the moon, NASA is set to run the agency's final ...

A crucial test of NASA’s towering Space Launch System rocket is underway — marking one of the final steps before the vehicle launches four astronauts into deep space for the first time since the Apollo program ended more than five decades ago.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — NASA's long-awaited moonshot with astronauts is off until at least March because of hydrogen fuel leaks that marred the dress rehearsal of its giant new rocket.

NASA's Artemis 2 mission has been delayed until at least March due to recent setbacks. A critical prelaunch test was postponed by an unseasonable cold snap in Florida. During a subsequent fueling test, a hydrogen leak was discovered in the Space Launch ...