Artemis II astronauts embark on historic NASA mission as the full moon glows, in photos
Four astronauts took off on a flight around the moon in what is humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century.
Employees of the Canadian Space Agency react during the successful launch of the Artemis II moon mission, at the Canadian Space Agency, in Longueuil, Quebec, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Christopher Katsarov/The Canadian Press via AP)
In this photo provided by NASA, guests watch the launch of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission to the moon at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Bill Ingalls/NASA via AP)
Ottawa city councillor Tim Tierney wears a costume astronaut helmet as he joins others watching the launch of Artemis II on a livestream displayed on the Kipnes Lantern of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
People react on Elgin Street as the Artemis II moon rocket lifts off, on a livestream displayed on the Kipnes Lantern of the National Arts Centre in Ottawa, Ontario, Wednesday, April 1, 2026. (Justin Tang/The Canadian Press via AP)
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