On Tuesday, November 16, 2022, at 1:47 AM, NASA launched its latest mission, Artemis 1, from Cape Canaveral, Florida. 

Artemis 1 is a spacecraft with the purpose to bring humans to the Moon and Mars. This mission does not carry humans but the next Artemis mission will carry humans, likely to the Moon. NASA plans to land the first woman and African American on the moon before 2025.

This mission has so far been a big success for NASA and the world.  “What an incredible sight to see NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft launch together for the first time. This uncrewed flight test will push Orion to the limits in the rigors of deep space, helping us prepare for human exploration on the Moon and, ultimately, Mars,” said NASA administrator Bill Nelson.

This mission has been delayed for 2 months, and did not launch on attempts on August 29 and September 4. due to rocket failures and hurricanes. But now, the rocket is finally ready. It is a great achievement for humanity. At this point in the mission Artemis has conducted a successful Trans-lunar injection and is on its way to the moon.

The rocket that launched the Orion capsule (the part that the astronauts go in) is the SLS. The SLS is the largest rocket to ever launch, and is the first rocket since the Saturn V to be able to launch humans to the moon.

Now, for the first time in 50 years, humans can go back to the moon and beyond.