NASA's Artemis II mission launched on Thursday, sending four astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—towards the moon, marking the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972. The Orion spacecraft's engine burn, lasting just under six minutes, initiated a 10-day mission that will see the crew travel over 250,000 miles (402,336 km) from Earth. This mission is significant not only for its historic nature but also as the inaugural crewed flight of the Space Launch System (SLS), NASA's new lunar rocket. The astronauts are on a 'free-return' trajectory, utilizing the moon's gravity to slingshot back to Earth, ensuring safety in case of emergencies. They are equipped with survival suits to maintain oxygen and pressure for up to six days if necessary. The Artemis program aims to establish a permanent lunar base and has faced scrutiny regarding its timeline and reliance on private sector technology, especially in light of competition from China's lunar plans. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman emphasized the importance of competition in mobilizing national resources for space exploration.