The Artemis II mission, set to be humanity’s first lunar flight in decades, is facing a helium flow issue just a day after a successful test
The space agency revealed the latest problem just one day after targeting March 6 for humanity’s first flight to the moon in more than half a century.
Overnight, the flow of helium to the rocket’s upper stage was interrupted, officials said. Solid helium flow is required for launch.
This helium issue has nothing to do with the hydrogen fuel leaks that marred a countdown dress rehearsal of the Space Launch System rocket earlier this month and forced a repeat test.
Nasa said it is reviewing the data and preparing, if necessary, to return the 98-metre (322-foot) rocket to the hangar for repairs at Florida’s Kennedy Space Centre. It is possible the work could be done at the launch pad; the space agency said engineers are preparing for both options.
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