Canada will have to wait a bit longer to send our first Canadian to the moon. NASA has delayed the launch of Artemis II until at least March 6th after a hydrogen leak was discovered during the wet rehearsal.
With the conclusion of the wet dress rehearsal today, we are moving off the February launch window and targeting March for the earliest possible launch of Artemis II.
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) February 3, 2026
With more than three years between SLS launches, we fully anticipated encountering challenges. That is precisely…
That extra month means that Canadian astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen and the rest of the Artemis II crew and backups, will likely get to leave their pre-flight isolation.
Astronauts undergo a 14-day pre-launch quarantine, or “crew health stabilization,” to prevent illness and avoid bringing contagious diseases into the confined, high-stakes environment of space. While it’s not a total isolation, there are strict contact limitations, daily health monitoring, and, for some, living in specialized, secure, or remote quarters. Crew members can still interact with family and essential personnel, provided they all follow health protocols, including masks and, at times, testing.
This video explains more:
Stay tuned to YourSaintJohn.ca for continuing coverage as Artemis II moves toward its anticipated launch!
