NASA has successfully launched four astronauts toward the Moon aboard the Orion capsule, propelled by the Space Launch System rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The mission, expected to last around 10 days, will see US astronauts Christina Koch, Victor Glover, and Reid Wiseman, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen, fly around the Moon.
US President Donald Trump praised NASA’s first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years, describing it as completely successful, in remarks made just hours before the earliest possible launch window for the Artemis 2 mission.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said that, “This launch marks a defining moment for our nation and for all who believe in exploration. Artemis II builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump, returning humanity to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years and opening the next chapter of lunar exploration beyond Apollo.”
“Aboard Orion are four remarkable explorers preparing for the first crewed flight of this rocket and spacecraft, a true test mission that will carry them farther and faster than any humans in a generation. Artemis II is the start of something bigger than any one mission. It marks our return to the Moon, not just to visit, but to eventually stay on our Moon Base, and lays the foundation for the next giant leaps ahead,” Isaacman added.
As the first crewed mission of NASA’s Artemis program, this flight will showcase the life support systems with astronauts aboard for the first time. It aims to lay the groundwork for establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, paving the way for future missions to Mars.
The Artemis 2 mission had previously been delayed several times due to technical issues and may face further postponement.
