Artemis II Moon Rocket Set to Roll Back from Launch Pad at 9 A.M. Today
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL., (February 25th, 2026) — NASA is preparing to begin rolling the Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft off Launch Complex 39B this morning, with first motion now targeted for 9 a.m. EST as engineers continue troubleshooting a critical upper stage issue.
The rollback comes after teams detected an interruption in helium flow within the rocket’s interim cryogenic propulsion stage during overnight data reviews last week. The system is essential for pressurization and proper functioning of the upper stage during launch, prompting NASA to halt final preparations and move the vehicle back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) for further inspection and repairs.
NASA officials say the massive 322-foot rocket will travel approximately four miles atop the agency’s Crawler-Transporter 2, a slow and methodical journey expected to take up to 12 hours depending on weather and operational constraints. Teams will closely monitor winds and temperatures throughout the operation.
Once inside the VAB, engineers will install access platforms and begin work to identify the root cause of the helium issue. The downtime will also allow teams to complete additional work, including replacing batteries in the flight termination system and upper stage hardware while retesting critical systems before the next rollout.
The rollback is expected to officially rule out the current March launch window, pushing Artemis II to no earlier than April as NASA prioritizes crew safety and mission success. The mission will send four astronauts — Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen — on a historic lunar flyby, marking humanity’s first crewed journey beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era.
Despite the setback, NASA leadership has emphasized that resolving technical issues now is critical to ensuring the long-term success of the Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually establish a sustained presence.
Florida Spaceflight will be monitoring the rollback live from Kennedy Space Center and will provide updates throughout the day as the Artemis II rocket begins its journey back to the VAB.