NASA delays Artemis launch with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen until March

A full moon is seen shining over NASA’s SLS (Space Launch System) and Orion spacecraft, atop the mobile launcher in the early hours of Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026, at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. (Sam Lott/NASA via AP)

NASA has announced a substantial delay to the Artemis II moon mission, which will push back London Ont. astronaut Jeremy Hansen’s trip into space.

The space agency ran into fuel leaks during a test of its new moon rocket at the Kennedy Space Center on Monday, which failed.

Officials confirmed that there were multiple fuel leaks as part of their tests, and they have announced a new launch date of March 6 at the earliest - however, the launch could be delayed as far away as April.

NASA officials have confirmed that they will review the fuel test data before attempting another fuel test.

In a press conference in Florida today, NASA officials said the Artemis II astronauts have been released from quarantine and are in Houston, home to the Johnson Space Center.

NASA can only conduct launches a few days each month.

The planned 10-day mission would see the astronauts travel past the moon, around its far side and then straight back to Earth, making Hansen the first non-American to leave low earth orbit.

While there will be no attempt to land, the mission sets the stage for future moon landings.

With files from The Associated Press, Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press