Rocket fuel for Artemis II is hard to handle.

NASA delayed Artemis II by at least a month after a hydrogen leak was found during fueling; the leak came from a quick-disconnect connector and officials plan another wet dress rehearsal before agreeing to a launch date.

NASA delayed the Artemis II mission after a hydrogen leak was detected while fueling, and the launch is now planned for no earlier than March 6. The leak appeared during a wet dress rehearsal and was traced to the quick-disconnect connector that links the launch tower hose to the rocket. Liquid hydrogen is cryogenic and prone to escaping through small gaps, which makes plumbing and connectors common risk points. Engineers say they will attempt repairs at the launch pad and require another wet dress rehearsal before final launch preparations. What is known: - A hydrogen leak was found during fueling in a wet dress rehearsal, delaying Artemis II by at least a month. - The leak was traced to the quick-disconnect connector between the launch tower hose and the rocket; the same connector leaked on Artemis I. - Engineers plan to attempt repairs at the launch pad rather than roll the rocket back to the Vehicle Assembly Building. - NASA has scheduled another wet dress rehearsal and lists the earliest new launch date as no earlier than March 6. Summary: The delay highlights operational challenges handling cryogenic liquid hydrogen, which can escape through very small gaps in plumbing and connectors. Engineers aim to fix the connector at the pad and run another wet dress rehearsal; the timeline beyond the March 6 earliest date is undetermined at this time.