NASA’s plans for its next crewed moon mission hit a hurdle after a hydrogen fuel leak disrupted a crucial practice countdown for its new moon rocket. As a result, the space agency pushed the launch target to March.

The issue occurred on 2nd February during a full dress rehearsal at Kennedy Space Centre. NASA was loading the 322-foot Space Launch System (SLS) rocket with super-cold hydrogen and oxygen. Just a few hours into the test, excessive hydrogen was detected near the base of the rocket. This forced teams to halt fueling with only half the core stage filled.

The test was meant to simulate the final hours before launch and determine when astronauts can fly on a lunar fly-around mission. NASA said the delay will allow teams to review data. Additionally, they will carry out another wet dress rehearsal before proceeding.

The four-member crew—three Americans and one Canadian—monitored the rehearsal from Houston, where they have been in quarantine awaiting the outcome. The nearly 10-day mission will send astronauts past the Moon, around its far side, and back to Earth. This will test life-support and other critical systems. There will be no lunar landing.

NASA last sent astronauts to the Moon during the Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s. The Artemis programme aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon. This mission is seen as a key step toward future landings.

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