Liftoff: NASA's Artemis I Launches Into Space, History

The Artemis I mission to the moon launches a new chapter in human lunar exploration.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022 at 08:48 AM ET

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NASA’s Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. [Courtesy: NASA/Bill Ingalls]

Key Takeaways:

NASA's Artemis I mission successfully launched its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft towards the moon after months of delays and resolving pre-launch technical issues.
The uncrewed 25-day mission will see the Orion spacecraft travel 1.3 million miles to and around the moon, returning to Earth on December 11, testing the spacecraft's systems.
Artemis I is a vital flight test for NASA's larger Artemis program, which aims to land the first woman and person of color on the moon by 2025 and establish a lunar presence as a stepping stone for future human missions to Mars.

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After months of delay, NASA’s Artemis I mission finally got off the ground—and it was a beautiful sight.

Precisely at 1:47 a.m., the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket engines ignited and powered the 322-foot vehicle off Launch Pad 39B. No issues were encountered despite some pre-launch concerns regarding a fueling leak that temporarily put the launch on hold. Crews remedied the issue and the countdown resumed as planned. Unlike previous launch attempts in recent months, weather conditions remained clear.