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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.JEA board nominee withdraws amid criticism over councilman’s text messages citing ‘big favor’PV Girls Hoops Playoff PrepInspection forces Jacksonville wholesale warehouse to close; Owner seeks donations to reopenConfidence grows for coaches as the bill for better pay picks up steam in Florida.St. Johns County parents express sympathy for family of 12-year-old killed in crash4:13Passion 4 Pets Adoption Event Returns Feb. 21 at Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach BoulevardBlack History Month Spotlight: Al PeteFuture Snyder Memorial Church to be discussed at DIA meetingCommunity mourns death of student killed in St. Johns County crashMortgate rates dip to the 5% range for the first time since 2023Working in the garden to get ready for SpringJacksonville TikToker uncovers account posting women, children without their consentLocal civil rights leader talks history and legacy of Jesse Jackson2026 High School 9:12 Media DayAbuse, neglect allegations prompt request for state to investigate Union County Animal ControlEpiscopal Boys Soccer Prepares for SemisIt might feel like Spring today, but hold off on planting: More cold is comingPassion 4 Pets: London is looking for a furever homeAccused gunman in murder-for-hire case withdraws guilty pleaIncreased focus on teen 'takeovers' to make sure they don't get out of controlJacksonville family loses everything in electrical fire at home of 18 yearsGreen Cove Springs couple to bike to DC for screening reform
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