LIVE: First human mission to the Moon in over 50 years
NASA is launching one of the most important space missions of our time today, as a four-member crew will fly toward the Moon for the first time in more than half a century as part of the Artemis II program.
The launch of a rocket carrying a human crew toward the Moon is expected at 18:24 local time in Florida, opening a new chapter in space exploration – we are following today's launch live.
NASA, YouTube
The world is watching a historic moment today as a human crew once again heads toward the Moon. The launch of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket can be watched live in the video below.
A historic flight to the Moon after more than 50 years
Today's mission marks a major step for humanity and space exploration. The last time a human crew flew toward the Moon was in 1972 during the Apollo 17 mission, when the last human also stepped onto the lunar surface.
The first person to walk on the Moon was astronaut Neil Armstrong in 1969 during the famous Apollo 11 mission. In total, 12 people have walked on the lunar surface, all of them American astronauts from NASA's Apollo program.
This mission will not include a lunar landing yet, but the crew will travel farther from Earth than humans have ever gone before.
Who are the astronauts on the historic mission
On board the Orion capsule will be four astronauts who will fly toward the Moon today: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover (the first Black astronaut on a lunar mission), Christina Koch (the first woman), and Jeremy Hansen (the first Canadian).
The mission also brings important milestones. Victor Glover will become the first Black astronaut on a lunar mission, while Christina Koch will be the first woman to take part in a mission to the Moon.
LIVE: NASA's Official Broadcast:
The Artemis program opens a new era of space exploration
Today's mission is part of the broader Artemis program led by NASA. The goal of the program is to return humans to the Moon and establish a long-term presence there.
The first mission, Artemis I, was a successful uncrewed test flight in 2022. Today's Artemis II mission will include a human crew for the first time.
Future missions will be even more ambitious. Artemis III is expected to prepare the groundwork for future landings, while the first landing after more than half a century is planned around 2028 as part of the Artemis IV mission.
The Moon as a stepping stone to Mars
Scientists plan to explore primarily the Moon's south pole, where large reserves of water ice are believed to exist. This could serve as a source of drinking water, oxygen, and even rocket fuel.
The construction of a permanent base on the Moon and regular flights to the lunar surface about once a year are planned to begin with the Artemis V mission from 2028 onward. NASA aims to build a base worth around 20 billion dollars on the Moon, which would also serve as an outpost for future human missions to Mars.
The rocket launch is watched by the entire world
The main launch window for the SLS rocket opens today at 18:24 local time in Florida. During the approximately ten-day mission, the crew will fly around the Moon and then return to Earth.
LIVE: Launch of the human crew toward the Moon:
A new era of space exploration
The Artemis II mission represents the beginning of a new era in space exploration. After more than half a century, humanity is once again heading toward the Moon, with the next step potentially being a permanent base on the lunar surface and, one day, a human mission to Mars.
