NASA Delays Artemis Ii Test Launch After Fuel Leak

MOSCOW, Feb 3 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- The US space authority NASA announced on Tuesday that the test launch of the Artemis II lunar mission was postponed to March after a liquid fuel leak was discovered during rocket refuelling, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

"To allow teams to review data and conduct a second wet dress rehearsal, NASA will now target March as the earliest possible launch opportunity for the flight test," the statement read.

Artemis II aims to send astronauts on a test flight around the moon. The leak was discovered in the tail section of the rocket during tanking.

In accordance with the published schedule, NASA will observe conditions suitable for a test flight, as per preliminary data, from March 6-8, as well as March 9-11.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI