NASA launches Artemis II carrying 4 astronauts toward the Moon
Technology
NASA just launched Artemis II, sending four astronauts on a big step toward returning humans to the moon.
Their Orion spacecraft shot out of earth's orbit at 35420km/h on April 2, kicking off a four-day trip through deep space.
If all goes as planned, they'll arrive near the moon on April 6, making history along the way.
Artemis II splashdown near San Diego
The crew will swing within 6437km of the lunar surface, possibly breaking Apollo 13's distance record from way back in 1970.
They'll even see the far side of the moon (where radio contact gets tricky).
After that, Orion uses lunar gravity for a slingshot back to earth: no extra rocket needed.
The journey wraps up with a splashdown near San Diego on April 10, after covering about 1102398km!