For the first time since 1972, humans will return to the moon in 10 days, the Artemis II mission has been launched.

The US space agency NASA launched the Artemis 2 mission on April 2. At 4:05 am, the 'Space Launch System' (SLS) lifted off to the moon with 4 astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft. The launch took place from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This is the first time since Apollo 17 in 1972 that a man will cross the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and reach close to the Moon. The four astronauts will orbit around the moon in this mission and then return to Earth. This mission is of 10 days. 5 Pictures of the Mission Launch People gather to watch the next-generation Moon Rocket (SLS) and the Orion crew capsule launched from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Titusville, Florida. Exactly an hour before take-off, the launch abort system experienced some problems that threatened the launch. This is the same system through which NASA engineers can safely evacuate the astronauts in case of a malfunction. However, engineers quickly solved the problem. Then the countdown clock was stopped at 10 minutes for safety checks. This was followed by the 'OK' report of the engineers in charge of the various necessary systems of the rocket. Finally, the crew got the message: "Artemis II, I'm the launch director, you're ready to fly." To this, Commander Reed Wiseman replied, "We're going for the sake of humanity." Soon after, four RS-25 engines and two solid rocket boosters were launched and the astronauts departed. Objective: NASA wants to investigate the 'life support system' The purpose of the mission is to investigate the 'life support system' of the spacecraft. NASA wants to see how safe it is for humans to live in space. The spacecraft will not land on the lunar surface yet, but will pave the way for human habitation on the moon in the future. The mission includes three astronauts from NASA and one astronaut from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). Reed Wiseman: Wiseman, 50, is a former U.S. Navy test pilot and mission commander. Wiseman, who spent six months on the space station in 2014, is afraid of heights on the ground. After losing his wife in 2020, Wiseman has been raising his two daughters alone. 2. Christina Koch: Engineer and physicist Christina Koch, 47, is a mission specialist. She holds the record for the longest living woman in space (328 days). As a child, he decided to become an astronaut after seeing the 'Earthrais' photo taken by Apollo 8. Jeremy Hanson: Jeremy Hanson, a 50-year-old former Canadian fighter pilot, is a mission specialist. If all goes according to plan, Hansen will become the first non-American to reach the moon by this mission. Hanson has taken with him Canada's famous maple syrup and cookies. 4. Victor Glover: Selected as a pilot for the mission, Glover (49) will be the first black person to reach close to the moon. Glover has taken his Bible and his wedding rings with him. They say that finding and learning one's place in the universe is the true meaning of being human. Next step: Preparations to land on the lunar surface After Artemis-II, NASA will work on the 'Artemis-III' mission. The docking system will be tested. If all goes well, then in the year 2028, humans will once again set foot on the moon through Artemis-IV. Earlier in 2022, the unmanned Artemis 1 was sent. The main objective of the Apollo mission in the 70s was to prove itself superior in the ongoing 'space race' with the Soviet Union. But the Artemis program is purely a preparation for the future. NASA wants to build a permanent base on the moon this time so that humans can learn to work while staying there. This experience will help fulfill the vision of going to Mars in the future. 24/7 coverage on YouTube and NASA's website People around the world can watch this historic moment from the comfort of their homes. NASA is streaming it live on its YouTube channel and 'NASA+' platform. Live visuals from the Orion spacecraft will also be shared after it reaches space.