Four astronauts are voyaging into space for a historic mission to the moon.

The Artemis II mission is expected to last for nine-and-a-half days.

It will be our nation’s first journey to the moon in over 53 years (or maybe, ever, but I digress…)

President Trump hyped up the event in a statement shared by the White House:

“Tonight at 6:24 P.M. EST, for the first time in over 50 YEARS, America is going back to the Moon! Artemis II, among the most powerful rockets ever built, is launching our Brave Astronauts farther into Deep Space than any human has EVER gone. We are WINNING, in Space, on Earth,… pic.twitter.com/UQ9Od98zdm

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) April 1, 2026

“Tonight at 6:24 P.M. EST, for the first time in over 50 YEARS, America is going back to the Moon! Artemis II, among the most powerful rockets ever built, is launching our Brave Astronauts farther into Deep Space than any human has EVER gone. We are WINNING, in Space, on Earth, and everywhere in between — Economically, Militarily, and now, BEYOND THE STARS.” – President Donald J. Trump

Just minutes ago, the Orion spacecraft officially blasted into space!

Watch the launch here:

BREAKING: Brave astronauts JUST LAUNCHED on the Artemis II mission to the MOON, in an incredible sight

GODSPEED! The mission is expected to go almost 10 days

We are watching HISTORY before our very eyes! pic.twitter.com/hojnKNDXrD

— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) April 1, 2026

BREAKING: Even the reporters COULDN’T HOLD BACK their excitement as Artemis successfully launched.

This is truly HISTORIC and EVERY American is celebrating.

God bless America! pic.twitter.com/CzBpbPk1Qt

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 1, 2026

Here’s another look at the crew who will be making the journey:

JUST IN: The Artemis II space crew has emerged in their suits, and are on their way to the rocket

So far, we’re a GO for launch to the moon tonight!

Let’s go!!!! pic.twitter.com/I2oV4Yek44

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 1, 2026

And, here’s a live-feed from NASA:

We’re going around the Moon. Come watch with us. Artemis II’s four-astronaut crew is lifting off from @NASAKennedy on an approximately 10-day mission that will bring us closer to living on the Moon and Mars. The launch window opens at 6:24pm ET (2224 UTC). https://t.co/X27QJejNDt

— NASA (@NASA) April 1, 2026

The launch was almost delayed due to a technical issue.

But, it was ultimately resolved.

CBS News shared more details:

• NASA’s Artemis II mission is sending four astronauts on a nine-and-a-half-day journey around the moon and back. The launch window at the Kennedy Space Center opened at 6:24 p.m. EDT and the rocket lifted off at 6:35 p.m. EDT.
• If all goes according to plan, the crew — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, and mission specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen — will get an unprecedented view of the far side of the moon and set a record for the farthest distance ever traveled from Earth: 252,000 miles.
• With about two hours to go before the launch window opened, the launch was a “NO-GO” while teams tried to fix a problem with a key safety system, but the issue was resolved around 5:15 p.m. EDT.
• Artemis II is intended as a test flight to check out systems and equipment, laying the groundwork for future missions to land astronauts on the moon in 2028.

A huge crowd gathered at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to watch the Artemis II launch.

Among them was this boy, who gave a hilarious reason as to why he was there:

NEW: Kid gives a blunt answer after a CNN reporter asked him why he was excited about the Artemis II launch.

Reporter: “Why do you want to be here? Why do you love space? Why do you love being a part of history?”

Kid: “We’re going back to the freakin’ moon, that’s why!” pic.twitter.com/KndFjaE66l

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) April 1, 2026

Omg.

Nobody’s more excited than that kid!

Godspeed to the crew…

Pray for a successful and safe mission.