New Delhi

The US space agency, NASA on Monday put on hold the uncrewed Space Launch System (SLS) Moon mission called Artemis I owing to a technical engine glitch.

NASA said in a tweet that the launch was currently in an unplanned hold as engineers spotted an issue with one of the rocket's engines.

The launch of #Artemis I is no longer happening today as teams work through an issue with an engine bleed. Teams will continue to gather data, and we will keep you posted on the timing of the next launch attempt. https://t.co/tQ0lp6Ruhv pic.twitter.com/u6Uiim2mom

— NASA (@NASA) August 29, 2022

 NASA will issue another launch date at a later stage.

Artemis I will go into deep space and perform a long orbit around the Moon before coming back to Earth.

It will lay the foundation for a sustained long-term presence on and around the Moon.

The US space agency last week identified 13 candidate landing regions near the lunar south pole, as it prepares to send humans back to the Moon under the Artemis programme in 2024.

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Each region contains multiple potential landing sites for Artemis III, which will be the first of the Artemis missions to bring crew to the lunar surface.