NASA to launch Artemis II crew on flight around moon today
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Amid ongoing toilet trouble, the Artemis II astronauts reflected on the wonder of sailing through deep space to the moon.
The Artemis II mission launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 4:35 MT/5:35 CT on Wednesday, April 1, carrying four astronauts away from the Earth and towards the moon on a spacecraft called Orion. The crew will have to travel some 244,000 miles (393,000 kilometers) away to reach the moon, which will take several days.
The Artemis II crew nears a moon flyby, dining on a fixed menu of 189 shelf-stable items — from quiche to maple biscuits — in NASA’s Orion spacecraft.
Four astronauts have embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century.
NASA didn't pack any tree seeds this time, but the Canadian Space Agency did, continuing the tradition. As a member of the Artemis II crew, Canadian astronaut Hansen is the first non-American on a deep space flight. Other seeds, including a packet of zinnias and chili peppers, are also on board.
Locals and visitors who came for the moon launch are jockeying for prime spots to see NASA's Artemis II mission lift off, with some resorting to extreme measures.