The launch of NASA's Artemis II mission occurred on Wednesday at 6:35 p.m. ET from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission aims to send a crew of four astronauts, comprising both American and Canadian members, on a journey to orbit the moon, covering a distance of approximately 250,000 miles from Earth.
Though delays are typical for such launches, Artemis II liftoff happened less than ten minutes after the opening of a two-hour launch window. This mission represents a significant step in NASA's plans to explore lunar possibilities, as it serves as a precursor to future missions, including Artemis IV, which is slated for 2028.
During the ten-day mission, the crew will not land on the moon but will conduct tests on the spacecraft's life support systems. A livestream from within the Orion spacecraft is expected to begin soon, providing real-time views during the mission and concluding with its splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.