NASA Considers Rolling Back Artemis II Rocket and Orion Spacecraft to VAB Due to Helium Flow Issue
NASA is currently considering the possibility of moving the Artemis II rocket and Orion spacecraft back to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This decision comes after an issue with the flow of helium in the SLS rocket's interim cryogenic propulsion stage was observed overnight on February 21. Helium flow is crucial for the launch process. Engineers are actively analyzing data and working on rollback preparations to address the problem promptly. To ensure flexibility for troubleshooting, teams are preparing to remove the pad access platforms that were recently installed, as they are not suitable for high winds forecasted for the next day. This development is likely to impact the planned March launch window. Updates from NASA will be provided as the situation progresses.