NASA Launches 4 Astronauts to Moon for First Time in 52 Years

For the first time in more than half a century, humans are heading back to the moon.

NASA's Artemis 2 mission launches today at 6:24 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the moon. The crew includes NASA's Reid Williams, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canada's Jeremy Hansen.

This isn't just any space mission. It's the first time humans will see the moon up close since the Apollo program ended in 1972, and the first step toward landing astronauts on the lunar surface in coming years.

The mission starts with a rocket ride to low Earth orbit. About 24 hours after launch, the Orion spacecraft will fire its engines for a crucial "trans-lunar injection" burn, sending the crew toward the moon's orbit.

The most thrilling moment will come when Artemis 2 swings around the far side of the moon, passing as close as 5,000 miles from the lunar surface. From that distance, the moon will appear as large as a basketball to the astronauts, who will study its colors, lighting, and rock formations.

The Ripple Effect

This mission opens the door for an entire generation of space exploration. The astronauts will test systems and procedures that future crews will use to land on the moon and eventually travel to Mars.

They'll also conduct important health research, studying how their bodies respond to the higher radiation environment beyond low Earth orbit. These findings will help protect future deep-space explorers.

NASA plans to stream live video from exterior cameras on Orion throughout most of the mission, giving people on Earth a front-row seat to lunar exploration. The astronauts will also communicate with Earth daily and may even connect with crew members aboard the International Space Station.

After circling the moon, Artemis 2 will splash down in the Pacific Ocean off San Diego's coast. The U.S. Navy will recover the capsule and crew, marking a successful return to lunar exploration.

You can watch the entire mission unfold on NASA+, starting with live launch coverage at 12:50 p.m. EDT today. History happens today.