A powerful Artemis II launch sent four astronauts on a voyage around the Moon and made even the CBS Evening News set tremble during a live broadcast from Kennedy Space Center. The mission combined raucous crowd scenes, historic firsts and precise in-orbit work in the hours after liftoff.
Liftoff and ascent
The Space Launch System rocket roared off the pad to cheers from tens of thousands gathered around the Cape and at watch parties nationwide. As the vehicle climbed, the side boosters jettisoned and the core stage separated on schedule, and the Orion spacecraft climbed past the edge of space. Flight controllers called the milestones in real time — passing one minute, approaching Max Q, and by roughly 3 minutes 50 seconds the crew reported they were about 78 miles downrange and moving faster than 5,000 mph.
Crowds and family moments
Spectators at Titusville and packed watch parties erupted as the rocket climbed. Events were filled from local gathering spots to a Houston Space Center screening that hosted more than 1,300 people. Family members got a final, emotional glimpse of the crew as they climbed into the astrovan and shared last words before heading to the pad.
Crew and historic milestones
The four-person crew is led by Mission Commander Reid Wiseman, who first flew in 2014. Pilot Victor Glover becomes the first Black astronaut on a lunar mission. Mission Specialist Christina Koch is the first woman to travel around the Moon, and Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen is the first Canadian to journey into deep space. Together they are carrying humanity back beyond low Earth orbit in NASA’s continuing Artemis effort.
Studio reaction and on-site reporting
CBS broadcast live from Kennedy, and correspondents said the launch’s so-called wall of sound produced visible vibration in the studio. Senior National Correspondent Mark Strassmann, reporting from roughly four miles away at Pad 39B, described the experience as a controlled explosion followed by a rumbling wall of sound that rattled nearby buildings and overwhelmed the senses for those watching in person.
In-orbit operations and testing
After ascent the crew began in-orbit checks and operational tests. Engineers and astronauts focused on the first 24 hours: verifying life-support and environmental systems for water and oxygen, confirming communications, and validating propulsion. Artemis II executed planned engine firings to refine its orbit while the crew ran comm checks and addressed a few minor onboard issues that engineers quickly diagnosed.
Proximity and manual-control tests
Part of the early mission work involved flying Orion close to the spent upper stage to test manual spacecraft handling in pitch, yaw, roll and lateral motion. Former shuttle reporter Peter King explained that although many spacecraft operations are automated, manual control trials are essential preparation for future rendezvous with lunar landers and for handling unexpected situations.
Next steps and significance
If systems continue to check out, teams plan a trans-lunar injection burn the following night to send Orion toward the Moon. The craft will reach lunar distance in about four days and is scheduled to pass behind the Moon and round the far side a few days after launch, assuming nominal operations. Artemis II marks a major step in returning humans to deep space and preparing techniques and crews for future lunar exploration.