NASA's Artemis Program Hits Major Roadblock: Rocket Explosion Rocks Launch Site A catastrophic explosion has rocked the Kennedy Space Center, putting the brakes on NASA's ambitious Artemis program. According to eyewitnesses, a rocket exploded on the launchpad, sending a massive fireball into the sky. The incident has sent shockwaves through the space community, with many speculating about the cause of the blast. With the Artemis program aiming to return humans to the lunar surface by 2025, the setback is a significant blow to the agency's plans for a manned mission to the Moon.