NASA postponed the Artemis I launch into space. The launch team discovered an issue with an engine bleed in one of the four engines of the rocket. 

During engine bleeds, hydrogen gets cycled through the engine to ready it for launch. Three of the four engines were working as expected but engine three developed a problem. 

The American space agency had already determined more than one launch date for Artemis I before it was postponed on Monday, but engineers still need to examine the issue. NASA’s next launch date is set for September 2. 

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The launch window will open at 12:48 p.m. ET and will remain open for two hours. If Artemis I sticks to the schedule, the mission is expected to last for 42 days, with the craft returning on October 11. 

Another launch date is set for September 5, when the window opens at 5:12 p.m. ET, lasting for 90 minutes. This results in an October 17 return. 

NASA confirmed that the launch is not happening today. 

“Teams will continue to gather data, and we will keep you posted on the timing of the next launch attempt”, NASA added. 

NASA administrator Bill Nelson told Derrol Nail of the space agency “We don’t launch until it’s right”, CNN reported. He added, “It’s just illustrative that this is a very complicated machine, a very complicated system. All those things have to work”. 

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An update is expected later in the day. “We’ll wait for a press conference in roughly four hours from now”, Nail said. As per NASA, the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft remain in “a safe and stable configuration”. 

Meanwhile, Nelson noted that Vice President Kamala Harris – who was in Florida for the launch – has been briefed about the situation. He concluded that when Artemis I launches into space, it’ll make America proud.