NASA plans to roll the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission off the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center as soon as Tuesday, Feb. 24, as engineers work to address an issue involving helium flow to the rocket’s upper stage.The move, known as a rollback, is weather-dependent and would send the rocket and spacecraft about 4 miles back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, a multi-hour trip. NASA said returning to the assembly building is needed to determine the cause of the helium issue and complete repairs.NASA managers decided Feb. 21 to remove recently installed platforms at the pad ahead of forecast high winds along Florida’s Space Coast, a step that positioned teams to begin rollback preparations while discussions about the problem continued.NASA said the accelerated preparations could help preserve an April launch window for the Artemis II test flight, depending on what engineers find, how quickly repairs can be made and how the schedule develops in the coming days and weeks.The Artemis II crew was released from quarantine the evening of Feb. 21 and remains in Houston, NASA said.NASA plans to hold a media event in the coming days to discuss the rollback and next steps for the mission.
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. —
NASA plans to roll the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission off the launch pad at Kennedy Space Center as soon as Tuesday, Feb. 24, as engineers work to address an issue involving helium flow to the rocket’s upper stage.
The move, known as a rollback, is weather-dependent and would send the rocket and spacecraft about 4 miles back to the Vehicle Assembly Building, a multi-hour trip.
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As soon as Tuesday, Feb. 24, we will roll our Moon rocket for our Artemis II mission off the launch pad, weather pending. Engineers are continuing to prepare for the move after encountering an issue with the flow of helium to the rocket’s upper stage. Details:… pic.twitter.com/DPX6vjg0q5
— NASA (@NASA) February 22, 2026
NASA said returning to the assembly building is needed to determine the cause of the helium issue and complete repairs.
NASA managers decided Feb. 21 to remove recently installed platforms at the pad ahead of forecast high winds along Florida’s Space Coast, a step that positioned teams to begin rollback preparations while discussions about the problem continued.
NASA said the accelerated preparations could help preserve an April launch window for the Artemis II test flight, depending on what engineers find, how quickly repairs can be made and how the schedule develops in the coming days and weeks.
The Artemis II crew was released from quarantine the evening of Feb. 21 and remains in Houston, NASA said.
NASA plans to hold a media event in the coming days to discuss the rollback and next steps for the mission.