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NASA has resolved a critical helium flow issue with the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, maintaining the launch window for Artemis II in April 2026. The repair involved addressing a defective seal in a quick disconnect interface during a wet dress rehearsal test.

Following the repair, the rocket will return to the launch pad by the end of March. Artemis II will be a 10-day mission carrying four astronauts around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo 17 in 1972. Additionally, NASA has restructured the program, shifting the first crewed lunar landing to Artemis IV, now planned for 2028.