After more than half a century since the last Apollo missions, NASA launched the Artemis II mission last night, the first crewed flight that will orbit the Moon without landing on it.
The SLS rocket took off from Florida, and the four astronauts are already in orbit, on a 10-day mission considered a crucial step for the return of humans to the Moon and, subsequently, for future permanent bases.
The most important details:
- The first crewed mission to the Moon since 1972
- Four astronauts on board: three Americans and one Canadian
- The Orion capsule reached orbit minutes after launch
- The mission lasts approximately 10 days and does not include a lunar landing
- It will be the longest distance ever traveled by humans in space
- There were minor technical issues (communications, sanitary system) with no major impact
- At some point, the crew will completely lose contact with Earth
- Donald Trump congratulated the crew: "It was truly impressive"
The launch was spectacular, with the rocket slowly rising from the Kennedy Space Center ramp before accelerating and leaving Earth's atmosphere.
Just nine minutes after liftoff, the Orion capsule with the crew on board reached orbit, marking a historic moment for space exploration.
Mission commander Reid Wiseman sent a suggestive message from space: "We have a beautiful moonrise, heading straight towards it."
Who are the four astronauts
The Artemis II crew consists of:
- Christina Koch
- Victor Glover
- Reid Wiseman
- Jeremy Hansen
It is the first lunar mission with an international mixed crew, marking a paradigm shift from the Apollo program.
What's next
The mission doesn't stop at launch - the truly challenging part is just beginning. After a day spent in Earth's orbit, the astronauts will head towards the Moon, which is over 380,000 km away.
On the sixth day, the Orion capsule will pass beyond the Moon, at about 5,000 km, marking the farthest point ever reached by humans in space.
After this moment, the spacecraft will return to Earth using the Moon's gravity, and the mission will conclude with a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.
Minor technical issues
The first hours of the mission were not without emotions.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman confirmed that 51 minutes after launch, the Orion capsule experienced a communications issue. "There were no issues with the vehicle itself. Communications with the crew have been restored. We are actively working on the issue and will keep you updated," Isaacman said, according to Sky News.
Additionally, a warning was reported in the capsule's sanitary system and a temporary interruption of communications during relay satellite changes.
"The crew sounds very good - it's a good sign," transmitted Flight Operations Director Norm Knight.
An inevitable moment: complete loss of contact
One of the most spectacular - and tense - moments of the mission will occur on the sixth day. When the Orion capsule passes behind the Moon, communications with Earth will be completely interrupted for a period.
It is a normal phenomenon, but symbolic: for a few minutes, the crew will be completely isolated from humanity.
Test for the future: the step towards returning to the Moon
The Artemis II mission is essential for NASA's plans to bring humans back to the Moon in the coming years.
According to Reuters, this is the first major step before a future lunar landing and ambitious plans to build permanent bases in the lunar south pole region.
Trump's reaction: "It was truly impressive"
In his speech last night, President Donald Trump publicly congratulated NASA and the crew. "Let me begin by congratulating the NASA team and our brave astronauts for the successful launch of Artemis II," Trump said.
"It was truly impressive," continued the White House leader.
He added that the mission is "amazing" and conveyed: "I'm on the way, and God bless them. These are brave people. God bless these four astronauts."