NASA delays Artemis launch with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen until March

By Canadian Press on February 3, 2026.

WASHINGTON — NASA has delayed the planned launch of moon rocket with a Canadian on board until at least March.

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

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

NASA can only conduct launches a few days each month and space agency officials say they are looking forward to their next opportunity in March.

The planned 10-day mission would see the astronauts travel past the moon, around its far side and then straight back to Earth.

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

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 3, 2026.

— With files from The Associated Press

Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press