Apr 03, Kathmandu - Four astronauts have launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard NASA's Artemis II mission, marking humanity’s first journey close to the Moon in over five decades.

After spending approximately 25 hours orbiting Earth, the crew set course towards the lunar surface. This mission propels humans four hundred thousand kilometers away from Earth's orbit, breaking a gap since the Apollo missions. NASA officials announced in a press conference, “This is the first time since 1972 that humans have traveled beyond Earth's orbit.”

Canadian astronaut onboard shared, “We all observed the incredible view of Earth fading into the distance through the capsule window. It’s an unforgettable experience.” The Artemis II test flight signals the beginning of NASA’s ambitious plans for the future.

The mission aims to pave the way for long-term lunar habitats and human settlement. The commander, pilot, and two other astronauts will orbit around the Moon before returning to Earth, breaking previous distance records from the Apollo era and achieving the fastest re-entry speed ever.