Nasa has just launched Artemis II, its first crewed mission to lunar space since 1972. Four astronauts are travelling around the Moon and then returning to Earth in this 10-day mission designed to test critical systems, including life support, navigation and communication. The mission will use the Space Launch System and a lunar flyby trajectory. Artemis II includes the first woman, person of colour and non-American in lunar space, will send humans farther from Earth than previous missions. It is part of Nasa's plan to return humans to the Moon this decade and eventually prepare for Mars missions, amid growing competition from China.
Why is the Artemis II mission so important?
