NASA launched the Artemis 1 moon mission in the early morning hours Wednesday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The successful launch was the Space Agency’s third attempt, according to the Wall Street Journal. The space agency was dealing with hydrogen-fuel leaks and other technical problems. NASA’s launch was also compromised by hurricanes Ian and Nicole. (RELATED: TV Diving Crew Discovers Challenger Space Shuttle Wreckage Off Florida Coast)
Artemis 1 is the first mission in a new move from the space agency to put astronauts on the moon again for the first time since 1972.
Sitting on top of the rocket is Orion spacecraft, a capsule that breaks away from the rocket once the ship reaches space.
We are going.
For the first time, the @NASA_SLS rocket and @NASA_Orion fly together. #Artemis I begins a new chapter in human lunar exploration. pic.twitter.com/vmC64Qgft9
— NASA (@NASA) November 16, 2022
While the spacecraft is equipped to carry humans, this mission only carries mannequins which are transmitting vital information for future crews.
“The Space Launch System has roared to life, launching the @NASA_Orion spacecraft on its journey for #Artemis I!,” the official Space Launch System for NASA’s Twitter account wrote. “Look out Moon, we are on the way!”