Artemis 1 Launches First Flight

In February, Artemis 1 will hopefully begin its work, signifying an important step for human space exploration. The first mission of the project, the launch of the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket from Kennedy Space Center, will mark the beginning of an increasingly daring and groundbreaking series of deep-space missions.

Launching from the most powerful rocket in the world, the uncrewed craft Orion will journey further into space than any craft designed to carry humans ever has before. The three-week mission, set to begin on 12 February, will see it travel 450,000 kilometres (280,000 miles) from Earth. This will become the longest mission a spacecraft designed to be crewed has undertaken without docking at a space station, setting the scene for future missions.