Artemis Two: First Crewed Moon Mission in 50 Years

0:00On April 1st and NASA's Artemis-2 mission is gearing up for launch from Kennedy Space Center in Florida with a countdown kicking off at 4. 44 PM Eastern this afternoon. The two-hour window opens at 6.24 PM. Eastern, weather permitting, marking the first crew trip toward the moon since 1972. Commander Reed Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch from NASA and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen-R. Strapped in the Orion capsule, atop the massive space launch system rocket. This 10-day flight will send them into orbit, break free from Earth, loop around the moon, and sling back home, pushing farther out than humans have. Gone in decades. It's the crucial test run for NASA's plan to land boots on lunar soil by 2028, building momentum for deeper space exploration. The crew brings personal touches, Glover's packing his Bible, Hansen's got moonshade pendants from his family, Wiseman's carrying notepaper A, pencil, and letters from his daughters, while Koch holds handwritten notes from loved ones.

1:07These astronauts are no rookies. Wiseman's a navy vet from Baltimore, Glover, a trailblazing black pilot from California, Koch the record holder for. Longest single space flight by a woman at 328 days, Hansen Canada's first moonbound flyer, a physicist and fighter pilot. Reactions are pouring in retired astronaut and Senator Mark Kelly joked, he's jealous and ready to step in, while former President Trump hyped it on. Social media as America dominating space. Wiseman even prepped his young daughters with the risks with a heartfelt walk before suiting up. As the clock ticks down in that tight 11 by 16 and a half foot capsule, these four are set to make history firing up a new era of lunar. Adventures that could redefine our place in the cosmos.