American space agency NASA is once again ready to achieve a major achievement in the field of space. NASA successfully launched its historic Artemis II mission today, April 2. Under this mission, four astronauts left for the Moon. This is the first manned lunar mission in 50 years, following the Apollo program, to orbit the Moon.
Artemis II lifted off from Orion Spacecraft Center’s Launch Complex 39B on a massive 32-story SLS rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission is considered to be the beginning of NASA’s ambitious plan, in which the goal is to land astronauts on the lunar surface again within two years. In this mission, four astronauts – Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen – will go to the Moon in the Orion capsule and then after some time they will return back to Earth.
NASA on mission to moon after 50 years
Thousands of people had gathered at the launch site. The crowd had spread to nearby streets and beaches. These scenes were reminiscent of the Apollo Moon missions of the 1960s and 1970s. As soon as the rocket’s engines started and flames appeared on the launch pad, people cheered it off with loud applause. This moment marked the beginning of a new era of human space travel.
NASA shared launch VIDEO
That exciting moment of flight can be seen in the video shared by NASA. The huge rocket, which was shining brightly in the then darkening sky, suddenly rocketed upward with a cloud of fire and smoke. Dense clouds of smoke hung over the launch pad, while the spacecraft continued upward. Within no time it started appearing like a shining line in the sky.
What is the aim of the mission?
Artemis II is writing a new chapter in the field of space exploration. This is the first such mission since the Apollo era in which humans are going to the moon. Also, this is NASA’s biggest step yet towards creating a permanent presence of humans on the Moon. The mission aims to prepare the ground for a planned landing near the Moon’s south pole, scheduled for 2028.
Trump congratulated
Before the launch, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, ‘For the first time in 50 years, America is going to the Moon again… No one is closer to us! America doesn’t just compete, we dominate, and the whole world is watching.
The mission is commanded by experienced astronaut Reed Wiseman. They are joined by pilots Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. It is NASA’s most diverse crew ever, including for the first time a woman (Christina Koch), a non-white astronaut (Victor Glover) and a non-US citizen (Jeremy Hansen).
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