Air Space 2

NASA hosted a pre–lunar flyby science crew conference as the Artemis II astronauts prepared to break Apollo 13’s distance record during their lunar flyby. Watch the moments leading up to the historic moment. 

As they’re set to swing around the moon, the Artemis II crew is now farther from Earth than anyone has ever been. That breaks a record set back in 1970 by the Apollo 13 crew.

NASA's Artemis II crew is approaching record-breaking distances as they cruise toward the moon. Despite minor issues with the Orion spacecraft's zero-gravity toilet, the astronauts remain in high spirits.

The Artemis II shuttle made lift off Wednesday night from Cape Canaveral in Florida, sending four NASA astronauts on a historic mission around the moon.

NASA sends Artemis II on its mission to the moon. Artemis II set sail from the same Florida launch site that sent Apollo’s explorers to the moon so long ago. The handful still alive cheered this next generation’s grand adventure as the Space Launch System rocket thundered into the early evening sky, a nearly full moon beckoning some 248,000 miles (400,000 kilometers) away.

Artemis II is scheduled to launch from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday, sending four astronauts on a 10-day mission into deep space, around the moon, and back to Earth.

NASA officials say all systems are a go as they make final preparations for the space shuttle Artemis II on Wednesday. FOX's Sarah Alegre has the latest from Cape Canaveral, Fla.

NASA officials held an L-2 briefing at the Kennedy Space Center to discuss the status of the Artemis II rocket and spacecraft. Following a mission management team review, the agency has officially pulled a "go" to proceed toward the planned April 1st launch attempt.

NASA began the countdown Monday for humanity’s first launch to the moon in 53 years. The 32-story Space Launch System rocket is poised to blast off Wednesday evening with four astronauts. After a day in orbit around Earth, their Orion capsule will propel them to the moon and back. There are no stops — just a quick U-turn around the moon. The nearly 10-day flight will end with a splashdown in the Pacific.

NASA provides a status update on prep for the upcoming Artemis II mission launch, which hopes to return humans to the Moon. The 10-day trip spans roughly 600,000 miles, and could begin as soon as April.

The countdown to the Artemis II launch is on. In just a few days, NASA astronauts are set to start their journey around the moon and back for the first time in a half century. FOX's Amy Galo has more from Cape Canaveral, Florida.