NASA Delays Moon Rocket Launch After Fuel Leak Issues

Space agency targets March launch after test run reveals technical problems.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 10:55am

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NASA announced it will now target a March launch of its new moon rocket after encountering fuel leaks during a critical test run on Monday. The space agency said the delay will allow teams to review data and conduct another wet dress rehearsal before the flight test.

Why it matters

The delayed launch of NASA's new moon rocket, known as the Space Launch System, is a setback 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 are reminiscent of problems that plagued the rocket's debut three years ago, raising concerns about the vehicle's readiness.

The details

During Monday's test, launch controllers began loading the 322-foot rocket with super-cold hydrogen and oxygen, but excessive hydrogen quickly built up near the bottom of the rocket, forcing them to halt the hydrogen loading process at least twice. NASA also noted delays in close-out operations and recurring audio dropout issues for ground crew communications.

  • The launch delay will allow teams to review data and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal before the flight test.
  • The four astronauts assigned to the mission will be moved out of their nearly two-week quarantine and will enter quarantine again 'about two weeks' before the next launch window.

The players

NASA

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

Reid Wiseman

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

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What’s next

NASA said teams need 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 test run underscore the technical challenges NASA faces in preparing the new moon rocket for its debut launch, which is now further delayed. The Artemis program's goal of returning astronauts to the lunar surface hinges on the successful development and launch of this powerful new rocket system.