More than 50 years after the Apollo landings, NASA launched astronauts on a historic lunar mission yesterday, marking a major step in deep-space exploration.
The Artemis II mission lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying a four-member crew on a 10-day journey around the Moon. They will travel nearly 230,000 miles.
The mission aims to test the Orion spacecraft systems, including life support and navigation. It will pave the way for future lunar landings and eventual human missions to Mars.
After reaching orbit, Orion deployed its solar panels and began system checks with teams on the ground.
Astronauts will also capture images of the Moon’s far side and conduct scientific experiments.
The mission also highlights diversity in space exploration, with the crew including the first woman, a person of color, and a non-American astronaut.