NASA Resolves Helium Flow Issue, Prepares Artemis II for April Launch

NASA has successfully addressed a helium flow issue in the Artemis II mission's Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, maintaining the possibility of an April launch for the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years.

After detecting the problem during a wet dress rehearsal on February 21, the SLS and Orion spacecraft were returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at Kennedy Space Center on February 25. Technicians accessed the launch vehicle stage adapter, which connects the rocket's core and upper stages, to inspect the helium system. They discovered that a seal in the quick disconnect mechanism had become dislodged, obstructing helium flow to the upper stage. The team removed and reassembled the quick disconnect, then validated the repair by running a reduced flow of helium through the system. Engineers are investigating the cause of the seal's displacement to prevent future occurrences.

While in the VAB, teams also replaced flight termination system batteries, refreshed flight batteries on the upper stage, core stage, and solid rocket boosters, and recharged the Orion launch abort system batteries. Additionally, they began replacing a seal on the core stage's liquid oxygen feed line on March 2.

NASA plans to roll the SLS and Orion back to Launch Complex 39B later this month, with the next launch window opening on April 1. Artemis II aims to send astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen on a 10-day mission around the Moon, marking the first human lunar flyby since 1972.