UPDATE: NASA confirms April Artemis II launch

NASA

THE FIRST crewed mission to the Moon in more than 50 years is now scheduled to launch in April after NASA engineers identified and resolved a helium flow fault affecting the Artemis II rocket.

Originally expected to launch in March, the rocket was returned from the launchpad for testing after engineers detected a disruption in the flow of helium to the upper propulsion stage. Over the past three weeks, NASA teams have carried out a series of tests to determine the root cause of the issue and prepare the vehicle for launch.

Helium is used in rocket propulsion systems to maintain the correct operating conditions for engines and to pressurise liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant tanks.

At a press conference at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, NASA officials said the disruption was caused by a seal blockage between the rocket and the quick disconnect – the mechanical interface used to transfer pressurised fluids from ground systems to the rocket.

The officials added that Artemis II could be ready to launch as early as 1 April.