NASA again delays moon mission after rocket issue

In the latest setback to return astronauts to the moon, NASA delayed the highly anticipated flight yet again after a new problem cropped up with the rocket Saturday.

- BY MARCIA DUNN

GREGG NEWTON AFP/Getty Images NASA'S Artemis II Space Launch System rocket needs repairs before its mission.

April is now the earliest that the four Artemis II astronauts could fly to the moon.

NASA revealed the latest problem a day after targeting March 6 for Artemis II, the first manned flight to the moon in more than half a century. Overnight, the flow of helium to the rocket's upper stage was interrupted, officials said. Solid helium flow is essential for purging the engines and pressurizing the fuel tanks.

This helium issue has nothing to do with the hydrogen fuel leaks that marred a countdown dress rehearsal of the Space Launch System rocket earlier this month and forced a repeat test.