NASA launches Artemis II, 1st crewed Moon mission since 1972
Technology
NASA just launched Artemis II, sending astronauts toward the moon for the first time since 1972.
The crew is currently orbiting Earth and will soon start their 240,000-mile journey to the Moon, a huge throwback to the Apollo days, but with a new generation on board.
Historic crew includes Koch, Glover, Hansen
This flight is making history with Christina Koch (the first woman) and Victor Glover (the first person of color) heading into deep space, plus Canadian Jeremy Hansen — the first non-American on a US lunar mission.
Their goals? Break Apollo 13's distance record and snap pictures of possible future moon base spots near the south pole.
It's all part of NASA's bigger plan: testing tech for future missions, and setting up humans on the moon for good.