Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentIndependentSwipe for next articleIndependent Bulletin homepageDownload our appAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleMarcia DunnFriday 03 April 2026 02:43 BSTKid's adorable response to the launch of Artemis IINASA's Artemis II mission successfully propelled its astronauts out of Earth's orbit and onto a trajectory toward the moon, 25 hours after liftoff.The crew, consisting of three American and one Canadian astronauts, is now pursuing the moon nearly 250,000 miles distant for a lunar fly-around early next week.This mission will see the astronauts become the farthest humans have ever traveled from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 distance record set in 1970.Astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen have made history as the first Black, first woman, and first non-U.S. citizen, respectively, to launch to the moon.The Artemis II test flight is a crucial step for NASA's broader plans for a moon base and sustained lunar living, despite minor initial issues with the capsule's toilet and cabin temperature.In fullHumans leave Earth orbit for first time since 1972 as Artemis II heads to the moonThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in