NASA successfully launched a spacecraft to the Moon.
Four astronauts were sent to the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission.
NASA has successfully launched the Orion spacecraft with four astronauts aboard to the Moon as part of the Artemis II mission, marking the first crewed flight to the Moon since the Apollo program ended in 1972.
The 322-foot (approximately 98-meter) tall Space Launch System rocket lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 PM Eastern Time on April 1 (early morning on April 2 in Uzbekistan). The rocket carried the Orion capsule with four astronauts on a 10-day mission.
This mission does not involve a lunar landing. The capsule will travel along a "free-return" trajectory, looping around the Moon and returning to Earth. This flight is aimed at testing the spacecraft's capabilities for future lunar landing missions. Mission Commander Reid Wiseman confirmed shortly after launch that they were on their way to the Moon.
During the launch, previously reported technical issues, particularly the potential for hydrogen leaks, were monitored by engineers, and no serious malfunctions were detected. Issues related to battery sensors and the flight termination system for emergencies were also resolved.
The launch was initially scheduled for February and March but was delayed due to technical malfunctions. Prior to that, the mission was set for November 2024 but was postponed due to inspections related to the Orion capsule's heat shield.
The mission includes three NASA astronauts and one Canadian specialist. They all have spaceflight experience, though for the Canadian astronaut, this is the first trip around the Moon.
According to the plan, the Orion capsule will reach the Moon on April 6, the sixth day of the mission. It will approach within 6,500 to 9,600 kilometers of the lunar surface before returning to Earth. The mission is expected to conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean on April 10.
During the 10-day flight, the crew will first test systems in Earth orbit, then head towards the Moon. Upon approaching the Moon, the astronauts will test spacesuits and conduct scientific and medical research.
NASA's next phase, the Artemis III mission, is planned for 2027. It envisions testing the technology for docking the Orion spacecraft with lunar landers in Earth orbit and transporting astronauts to the lunar surface.
