On Wednesday, NASA launched its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, for a crewless voyage around the moon and back.
The Artemis program aims to return astronauts to the lunar surface and establish a base there as a stepping stone for future human exploration of Mars.
The Artemis I mission is a 25-day flight bringing the Orion capsule within 60 miles (97 km) of the lunar surface before flying 40,000 miles (64,400 km) beyond the moon and looping back to Earth.
If the mission is a success, it would pave the way for a crewed Artemis II flight around the moon and back, followed by a lunar landing with Artemis III within a few years.
The Artemis mission finally launched on its third attempt, after a 10 week delay due to technical difficulties, hurricanes and other mishaps.
