Artemis launch opens first US attempt to return astronauts to the moon in 50 years

Wednesday’s uncrewed rocket launch marked the start of Nasa’s Artemis lunar-exploration programme, named after Apollo’s mythological twin sister

The US space agency is aiming to send four astronauts around the moon on the next flight, in 2024, and land humans there as early as 2025

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Nasa’s new moon rocket lifts off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Wednesday. Photo: AP

Published: 3:14pm, 16 Nov 2022Updated: 9:14pm, 16 Nov 2022

Nasa’s new moon rocket blasted off on its debut flight with three test dummies aboard on Wednesday, bringing the United States a step closer to putting astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the end of the Apollo programme 50 years ago.

If all goes well during the three-week, make-or-break shakedown flight, the crew capsule will be propelled into a wide orbit around the moon and then return to Earth with a Pacific splashdown in December.

After years of delays and billions in cost overruns, the Space Launch System rocket thundered skyward, rising from Kennedy Space Centre on 8.8 million pounds (4 million kilograms) of thrust and hitting 100mph (160km/h) within seconds. The Orion capsule was perched on top and, less than two hours into the flight, busted out of Earth’s orbit toward the moon.

“It’s a great day,” said Nasa administrator Bill Nelson.

Nasa’s new moon rocket blasted off from Kennedy Space Centre in the US. Image: AP

The moon shot is Nasa’s third attempt and follows nearly three months of vexing fuel leaks that kept the rocket bouncing between its hangar and the pad. Forced back indoors by Hurricane Ian at the end of September, the rocket stood its ground outside as Hurricane Nicole swept through last week with gusts of more than 80mph (130km/h). Although the wind peeled away a 10-foot (3-metre) strip of caulking high up near the capsule, managers gave the green light for the launch.