NASA launches Artemis II, 1st crewed lunar mission since Apollo
NASA just launched Artemis II, sending four astronauts on a 10-day trip around the moon, the first crewed lunar mission since Apollo.
The goal? To make sure all the systems work smoothly before people actually land on the Moon again.
The launch took off from Kennedy Space Center with NASA's seriously powerful Space Launch System.
Orion to test heat shield
After reaching orbit, the Orion capsule separated and the crew ran checks on life support and navigation, basically making sure everything is safe for deep space.
Next, Orion will swing out toward the moon and loop back to Earth, testing its heat shield during a high-speed re-entry before splashing down in the Pacific.
This mission sets things up for future Moon landings, so it's a pretty big deal for space fans!