Feb. 24 (UPI) -- NASA has delayed the first crewed launch of its Artemis program after encountering a problem with its rocket system.
The space agency said it plans to roll the Artemis II Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft off the launch pad and back into the vehicle assembly building to address the problem Wednesday. The Artemis II SLS rocket has been on launch pad at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida for more than a month, undergoing testing and rehearsals.
On Tuesday, NASA determined there was an issue with the flow of helium to the upper stage of the rocket. They've scheduled the rollback for Wednesday due to high winds Tuesday.
The agency said workers observed the interrupted flow of helium to the interim cryogenic propulsion stage of the rocket on Saturday. The upper stage uses the helium to maintain environmental conditions in the engine and to pressurize liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen propellant tanks.
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