NASA wants astronauts walking on the Moon ;'Artemis 2' mission will be the first crewed lunar flight in 50 years

NASA might send humans around the moon months earlier than planned, with the Artemis II mission possibly launching as soon as February 2025. This marks a huge step in the U.S.’s efforts to return astronauts to the lunar surface

Artemis II will be a 10-day mission circling the moon, but the crew will not land, astronauts will travel beyond low Earth orbit for the first time since 1972. According to NASA, the mission aims to explore the moon for science, economic opportunities, and to lay the groundwork for future Mars missions. This mission was scheduled for April, now launching as early as February. “We have a front row seat to history,” said Lakiesha Hawkins, NASA’s acting deputy associate administrator. She stressed, however, that safety remains the top priority.

This mission reconnects NASA with its most famous lunar achievement Apollo 11 in 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. Artemis II is a reminder that humanity is once again reaching for the stars.

Artemis II will use NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion capsule, launching from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This will be the first time the SLS and Orion carry humans. The mission also sets the stage for Artemis III, planned for 2027, which aims to land astronauts on the moon using a Starship-based lander.