NASA's Artemis II moon mission delayed after hydrogen leak

NASA halted the Artemis II dress rehearsal after engineers detected a hydrogen leak and removed the four-astronaut crew from quarantine; the agency has moved the earliest launch window to March 6.

NASA called off a dress rehearsal for its Artemis II moon mission after engineers detected a hydrogen leak in the launch system. The four-person crew was removed from quarantine and launch preparations were paused. Artemis II is planned as the first crewed flight beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years and will test Orion's life-support systems. NASA has identified new launch windows in March and April. Key details: - NASA stopped the Artemis II dress rehearsal after a hydrogen leak was found in the launch system. - The four-astronaut crew, including Canadian Jeremy Hansen, was taken out of quarantine and will not launch in February. - The earliest new launch window has been set for a two-hour period on March 6, with additional windows later in March and in April. - Artemis II is intended to carry a diverse crew and to test systems needed for future lunar and deep-space missions. Summary: Officials reported that a hydrogen leak prompted the pause in final launch preparations and that the mission is now on hold while engineers investigate. The earliest resumption opportunity is March 6, with more windows available in the following weeks.