The third time's the charm as NASA early Wednesday launched the unmanned Artemis I test flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft.
Nearly 50 years since the last human set foot on the moon, NASA is preparing for its big return.
Eventually, the series of Artemis missions will again send people to the moon -- this time as the first step of the space agency's ambitious ultimate goal of the next giant leap for humankind: sending the first astronauts to Mars.
Watch NASA Coverage:
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
Overnight, NASA launched the unmanned Artemis I test flight of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft. Instead of humans or animals, as some space agencies did in decades past, three mannequins were deployed on the mission.
Several previous attempts had been scrapped due to weather and technical issues. NASA managed to plug a fuel leak late Tuesday night while fueling its new moon rocket before the early Wednesday launch.
NASA Artemis Coverage:
The Artemis I mission itinerary is to travel to the moon, orbit it and return to Earth on December 11. The Orion craft is planned to splash down into the waters of the Pacific Ocean near San Diego, California.
"With Artemis missions, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon, using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before. We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon," NASA said in a statement.
