NASA administrator Bill Nelson indicated that a new attempt to launch the United States’ heavy-lift rocket toward the Moon could take place in October if Artemis-1 leadership decides to remove the vehicle from the launch pad for inspection and potential fixes. He noted that the mission management team would convene on Saturday evening to review the immediate situation and determine whether a launch window remains viable or if the stack needs to return to the assembly facility. If the decision is made to proceed with a launch in October, officials would move forward with preparations accordingly.
Earlier, the team faced delays as fuel leaks were detected during the refueling process, prompting NASA to push back the schedule for an orbital ascent around the Moon. The agency confirmed in early September that the attempt to lift the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket would be deferred to address the leak and ensure the vehicle’s readiness for a long-duration mission.
In August, NASA paused the initial test flight of the SLS launch vehicle, which is designed to carry the Orion spacecraft on its first mission to the Moon. Officials described the condition of the launch system as stable but indicated that further time was needed to complete a careful assessment before a final decision could be made on the mission timeline. NASA’s ongoing checks aim to verify safety margins, propulsion readiness, and the overall integrity of the launch complex as teams review performance data and readiness indicators.
Experts and officials have emphasized the importance of a methodical approach during the Artemis program as teams weigh technical readiness against the broader schedule pressures. The upcoming meeting and subsequent decisions will help define whether the October window can accommodate a full launch sequence, including final systems checks, fueling operations, and a synchronized ascent profile for the mission’s centerpiece vehicle and crew module. Industry observers note that coordinated readiness across ground operations, mission control, and international partners will be essential to achieving a successful lift-off and a safe lunar insertion for the Orion spacecraft. Validation efforts continue through ground tests, simulations, and review boards intended to minimize risk as the program advances toward its historic milestones. This process underscores NASA’s commitment to rigorous safety standards while pursuing long-term goals for human exploration of the Moon.