Artemis II: Progress, Delays, and What Comes Next

NASA’s highly anticipated Artemis II mission – the first crewed trip around the moon in more than 50 years – has been pushed back from its early February launch window after a fuel leak was detected in a “wet dress rehearsal.” This delay underscores both how demanding space travel is and how the Artemis missions are a transitional moment for NASA’s future. 

The wet dress rehearsal is a full-system countdown simulation, where NASA runs through launch-day procedures on the pad. There are no astronauts onboard during this stage, but the simulation is a real-world test for hardware and ground systems crucial for safety. In this case, engineers detected a persistent fuel leak on the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and terminated the simulated countdown. 

At first glance, this delay may seem like a significant setback. However, the test was an excellent reminder as to why NASA plans so carefully, and why space travel is so dangerous. There is no room for error. If even one thing goes wrong, especially during launch, that puts the entire crew in danger. After all, the 1986 Challenger disaster was caused in part by a disconnect between NASA management pushing for a launch and engineers sounding the alarm.

Artemis II and SLS 

Instead of just focusing on the delay, it’s important to take a step back and appreciate the magnitude of the moment, as well as the path that got us here. Artemis II will only orbit the moon and not take humans back to the surface, but it is an important step forward for an agency that has suffered from stagnation. Understanding the significance of the Artemis Program also requires examining the vehicle designed to carry it and what that choice says about NASA’s direction.

The SLS rocket highlights one of the larger strategic tensions within NASA. The launch vehicle, one of the most powerful of all time, represents the legacy architecture of NASA, where the rocket is designed by NASA and government contractors. This contrasts with the modern space ecosystem, where commercial providers are driving innovation and cost reduction by focusing on efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Pioneers of reusable launch vehicles are finding commercial success, and new competition is pushing further technological evolution. NASA must adapt by embracing competition and the integration of new partners and technologies.

At the same time, the U.S. is locked in a new space race with rival China, which has made significant gains in recent years and is aiming for a crewed lunar landing before 2030. New NASA administrator Jared Isaacman rightly stated that the SLS rocket remains the best option for beating China back to the moon, but that does not absolve the program of its lackluster record. The rocket is years behind schedule and cost billions of dollars more than originally planned. In fact, the program is likely to be retired after Artemis III, the crewed lunar landing. 

Progress is rarely straightforward. One must look no further than the countless failures from NASA that ultimately pushed the agency to new heights. Artemis II illustrates both the strengths of NASA’s old approach and the growing need to move beyond it.

Looking Ahead

As NASA engineering teams work through the dress rehearsal data, the Artemis II mission continues to point towards a new future of human spaceflight. The program is a bridge between two eras, one in which NASA is the primary designer, builder, and operator of spacecraft, and one in which it is merely the facilitator and administrator to an innovative and flourishing commercial space sector. 

When Artemis II does lift off, it won’t just be a return to the moon. It will be a signal for the next chapter in space exploration. 

Written by Owen Rogers, Public Policy Associate