NASA is taking another crack at fueling its giant moon rocket after leaks halted the initial dress rehearsal and delayed astronauts' first trip to the moon in more than half a century.
For the second time this month, launch teams began pumping more than 700,000 gallons of supercold fuel into the rocket atop its launch pad.It’s the most critical and challenging part of the two-day practice countdown.
The outcome will determine whether a March launch is possible for the Artemis II moon mission with four astronauts.escaped from the connections between the pad and the 322-foot Space Launch System rocket. Engineers replaced a pair of seals and a clogged filter in hopes of getting through the repeat test at Kennedy Space Center. NASA won’t set a launch date for the Artemis II mission until it passes the fueling demonstration. Like last time, the crew — three Americans and one Canadian — watched the test from afar. The soonest astronauts could soar is March 6. They will become the first people to fly to the moon — making a 10-day out-and-back trip with no stops — since Apollo 17 in 1972. They won't orbit or land. NASA has been battling hydrogen fuel leaks ever since the space shuttle era, which provided many of the SLS engines. The first Artemis test flight without anyone on board was grounded for months by leaking hydrogen before finally blasting off in November 2022. Going years between flights exacerbates the problem, according to NASA’s new administrator Jared Isaacman, a tech entrepreneur who financed his own trips to orbit through SpaceX. Just two months into the job, Isaacman already is promising to redesign the fuel connections between the rocket and pad before the next Artemis III launch. Still a few years away, that mission will attempt to land two astronauts near the moon’s south pole. “We will not launch unless we are ready and the safety of our astronauts will remain the highest priority,” he said last week on X.The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.Jefferson HS teacher looks to introduce fencing to engage students, prevent troubleAfter son’s hit-and-run death, San Antonio mother struggles with homelessness and burial costsSuspect arrested in connection with scheme that cost Converse woman her life’s savingsSakai, Nirenberg tout experience in faceoff for Bexar County JudgeWhat we know after two people killed at NW Side hookah barSan Antonio police launch investigation after dog left behind during owner’s arrest‘It looked like he got hit by a car’: Helotes dog returns home with mysterious injuriesJudson ISD board votes to close Judson Middle School amid $37 million deficitVIA employee union ‘not on board’ with free bus fare pushVerbal altercation between Judson ISD trustee and board president over Open Meetings ActJudson ISD student shares frustration over potential Franz Elem. closureHeadstone unveiled for Savanah Soto and her unborn babyFIVE YEARS AGO: A look back at the historic February 2021 winter storm in San AntonioSpurs Jackals fan group fuels father-son bond, appreciation for teamSan Antonio surgeon shares his heart attack survival story, encourages others to prioritize healthSan Antonio surgeon shares his heart attack survival story, encourages others to prioritize healthDeveloper pays City of San Antonio $3.3 million to clear land where endangered species lives4 in 5 Texas Education Freedom Account applicants plan on attending private schoolMarbach Road safety upgrades planned months after student killed in crashGet a loook at the 2026 Rodeo fairground food!😋Hill Country floods survivor hails ‘amazing’ assistance from relief groupsVALENTINE'S FORECAST: Storms are likely around San AntonioDowntown exhibit traces San Antonio’s art scene across five decadesSCAM ALERT: Watch out for romance scams ahead of Valentine’s DaySan Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo kicks off Thursday
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