After over 50 years, NASA has launched a crewed mission to lunar orbit. The Orion spacecraft lifted off on Wednesday evening atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, initiating the Artemis II mission.

Historic Launch from Kennedy Space Center

The 322-foot-tall, 5.75-million-pound SLS rocket roared to life at Launchpad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Eight million pounds of thrust propelled the rocket and the Orion spacecraft, carrying a four-astronaut crew, into the sky.

Meet the Artemis II Crew

The crew consists of Commander Reid Wiseman, Pilot Victor Glover, Mission Specialist Christina Koch, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (representing the Canadian Space Agency). They are embarking on a journey that will take them approximately 250,000 miles from Earth.

Words of Inspiration Before Launch

In final checks before launch, the astronauts expressed the significance of the mission. “We are going for all humanity,” Hansen stated. NASA’s Artemis II director, Charlie Blackwell-Thomas, responded with encouragement: “Good luck. Godspeed Artemis II. Let’s go.”

Mission Timeline and Key Milestones

Within three minutes of launch, Orion reached Earth’s orbit. Full separation from the SLS rocket occurred roughly eight minutes after liftoff. The spacecraft will spend at least a day in Earth’s high orbit conducting system checks.

Lunar Flyby and Return

By April 6, Orion is expected to reach lunar orbit, looping around the moon at an altitude of 4,500 to 6,000 miles. The crew will observe and analyze the lunar surface, including the far side. The spacecraft will then begin its return journey, utilizing Earth’s gravity.

On April 10, Orion will re-enter Earth’s atmosphere at approximately 25,000 mph, deploying parachutes to slow its descent to 20 mph before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean.

Future Missions and Long-Term Goals

This mission serves as a crucial stepping stone for future Artemis missions. Artemis III, planned for next year, will focus on practicing docking with lunar modules developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin. NASA aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon with Artemis IV or V.

NASA Administrator Jason Isaacman emphasized the broader implications of Artemis II, stating it’s a vital step towards eventual missions to Mars. The crew will travel farther from Earth than any humans before them, and will view parts of the lunar surface never before seen by human eyes.