Overview
- SLS and Orion were returned to the Vehicle Assembly Building on Feb. 25 for inspection and repairs to an upper-stage helium‑flow system required for tank pressurization.
- NASA is targeting an early‑April launch window for Artemis II, with no firm date yet set.
- Artemis III is redefined as a low‑Earth‑orbit mission in 2027 to test operations and docking with commercial lunar lander prototypes from SpaceX or Blue Origin.
- Agency leaders say the reshuffle aims to standardize vehicle configurations and increase flight cadence, with a goal of up to two lunar surface missions in 2028.
- An independent safety panel has raised doubts that the revised schedule—particularly a 2028 landing—can be met due to risks in lunar lander development.