NASA Preps for Next Artemis Moon Mission Countdown Test

Agency aims to fix fuel leaks that have delayed the historic launch.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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NASA has begun another practice launch countdown for its first crewed moon mission in decades, the Artemis program, after making repairs to fix dangerous fuel leaks that have already pushed the flight into March.

Why it matters

The Artemis program represents NASA's long-awaited return to the moon with astronauts, a key milestone in space exploration. However, technical issues like the fuel leaks have repeatedly delayed the mission, raising concerns about the agency's readiness.

The details

During the latest countdown test on Tuesday, NASA will assess whether the repairs to the rocket's fuel lines and other systems have resolved the leaks that forced the agency to scrub two previous launch attempts in 2022. The successful completion of this test will be a crucial step toward clearing the way for the Artemis I uncrewed lunar flyby mission, which is the first in a series of planned Artemis flights.

  • NASA began the latest countdown test on Tuesday, February 18, 2026.
  • The Artemis I mission has already been delayed from 2022 to March 2026 due to the fuel leak issues.

The players

NASA

The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the government agency responsible for the Artemis program and America's space exploration efforts.

Artemis Program

NASA's new moon exploration program that aims to land the first woman and next man on the lunar surface by the late 2020s.

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What’s next

If the countdown test is successful, NASA will then target a launch window in March 2026 for the uncrewed Artemis I mission, which will pave the way for future Artemis flights with astronauts.

The takeaway

The Artemis program's repeated delays due to technical issues underscore the challenges NASA faces in returning humans to the moon, but the agency's persistence in troubleshooting and preparing for the next test demonstrates its commitment to achieving this historic milestone.