NASA Delays Moon Rocket Launch After Fuel Leak Issues

The space agency will now target a March liftoff after encountering problems during a critical test run.

Published on Feb. 3, 2026

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NASA announced it will delay the launch of its new moon rocket until March to allow teams to review data and conduct another fueling test after encountering fuel leaks during a critical dress rehearsal on Monday. The space agency said the four astronauts assigned to the mission will be moved out of quarantine and then re-enter closer to the new target launch window.

Why it matters

The successful launch of NASA's new Space Launch System rocket is a critical milestone for the agency's Artemis program, which aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time since the Apollo era. The fuel leak issues during the test run highlight the technical challenges the agency continues to face in preparing this powerful new rocket for its maiden flight.

The details

During Monday's fueling test, launch controllers encountered excessive hydrogen buildup near the bottom of the 322-foot rocket, forcing them to halt the hydrogen loading process at least twice. NASA also reported delays in close-out operations and recurring audio dropout issues for ground crew communications during the test.

  • The fueling test took place on Monday, February 3, 2026.
  • NASA now plans to target a launch in March 2026, but has not provided a specific date.

The players

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the country's civilian space program, aeronautics research, and space exploration.

Reid Wiseman

The commander of the four-person crew assigned to the Artemis I moon mission.

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What they’re saying

“NASA said the launch delay will 'allow teams to review data and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal' before the flight test.”

— NASA (wsvn.com)

What’s next

NASA said it needs to 'fully review data from the test, mitigate each issue, and return to testing' before setting a new target launch date in March.

The takeaway

The fuel leak issues during the critical dress rehearsal highlight the technical challenges NASA continues to face in preparing its new moon rocket for its maiden flight, delaying the agency's plans to return astronauts to the lunar surface for the first time in over 50 years.