NASA announced a new technical issue with the Artemis II mission related to helium flow in the rocket's upper stage, which may affect its launch schedule.
On Saturday, NASA revealed that it has detected an interruption in the helium flow within the upper stage of the Artemis II mission's rocket, which could lead to additional delays for the scheduled launch window in March. The issue arose during observations of the Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage (ICPS), a key component that boosts the Orion capsule after the central stage separation of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
As a result of this technical fault, NASA is preparing for the possibility of returning the rocket to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for repairs. Depending on further assessments, technical teams will determine whether the necessary repairs can be conducted on-site at the launch pad or if the vehicle needs to be transported back to the assembly building.
In conjunction with addressing the helium flow issue, NASA has begun removing access structures from the launch pad due to forecasts of strong winds. This precautionary measure is aimed at maintaining the integrity of maintenance operations and preserving options for the future as the agency works to navigate the challenges leading up to the Artemis II launch.
