NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA Moon Rocket In this photo provided by NASA, guests at the Banana Creek viewing site wait for the launch of NASA's Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis I flight test, Tuesday, Nov. 15, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Fla. (Keegan Barber/NASA via AP) (Keegan Barber)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/Terry Renna) (Terry Renna)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, from Launch Complex 39B at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla. NASA's new moon rocket blasted off on its debut flight with three test dummies aboard Wednesday, bringing the U.S. a big step closer to putting astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the end of the Apollo program 50 years ago. (Joel Kowsky/NASA via AP) (Joel Kowsky)
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion capsule attached, launches at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Artemis I mission will send the uncrewed spacecraft around the moon to test the vehicle's propulsion, navigation and power systems as a precursor to later crewed mission to the lunar surface. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this handout provided by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), guests watch the launch of NASAs Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis I flight test, from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASAs Artemis I mission is the first integrated flight test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems. SLS and Orion launched at 1:47am ET from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion capsule attached, launches at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Artemis I mission will send the uncrewed spacecraft around the moon to test the vehicle's propulsion, navigation and power systems as a precursor to later crewed mission to the lunar surface. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (WIN MCNAMEE/Getty Images)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this handout provided by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), guests watch the launch of NASAs Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis I flight test, from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASAs Artemis I mission is the first integrated flight test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems. SLS and Orion launched at 1:47am ET from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion capsule attached, launches at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Artemis I mission will send the uncrewed spacecraft around the moon to test the vehicle's propulsion, navigation and power systems as a precursor to later crewed mission to the lunar surface. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (WIN MCNAMEE/Getty Images)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion capsule attached, launches at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Artemis I mission will send the uncrewed spacecraft around the moon to test the vehicle's propulsion, navigation and power systems as a precursor to later crewed mission to the lunar surface. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this handout provided by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), NASAs Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASAs Artemis I mission is the first integrated flight test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems. SLS and Orion launched at 1:47am ET from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. (Photo by Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Joel Kowsky/NASA via Getty Images)
Artemis I Launch KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - NOVEMBER 16: In this handout provided by the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), NASAs Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft launches on the Artemis I flight test, from Launch Complex 39B on November 16, 2022, at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASAs Artemis I mission is the first integrated flight test of the agencys deep space exploration systems: the Orion spacecraft, Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, and ground systems. SLS and Orion launched at 1:47am ET from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images) (NASA/Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images)
NASA Moon Rocket NASA's new moon rocket lifts off from Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022. This launch is the first flight test of the Artemis program. (AP Photo/John Raoux) (John Raoux)
NASA Moon Rocket In this photo provided by NASA, guests at the Banana Creek watch the launch of NASA's Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion spacecraft on the Artemis I flight test, early Wednesday, Nov. 16, 2022, at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Fla. (Keegan Barber/NASA via AP) (Keegan Barber)
Artemis I Launches After Several Failed Attempts CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 16: NASA’s Artemis I Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, with the Orion capsule attached, launches at NASA's Kennedy Space Center on November 16, 2022 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Artemis I mission will send the uncrewed spacecraft around the moon to test the vehicle's propulsion, navigation and power systems as a precursor to later crewed mission to the lunar surface. (Photo by Red Huber/Getty Images) (Red Huber/Getty Images)
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
NASA launches Artemis I moon rocket from Florida’s Space Coast After multiple delays, the Artemis I successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center early Wednesday. (NASA/Keegan Barber/(NASA/Keegan Barber))
After a spectacular launch from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Artemis I is now on its voyage to the moon.
Some issues overnight pushed the launch time back by almost 45 minutes.
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Despite the early morning liftoff at 1:47 a.m., thousands packed into the coast near Kennedy Space Center to see the historic launch.
NASA is one step closer to making its next moon landing with astronauts.
Artemis I, an uncrewed mission around the moon, finally lifted off from Launch Complex 39B after two previous launch attempts.
This time around, the launch team had to overcome obstacles, including a liquid hydrogen leak that had to be repaired by a crew on the launchpad.
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Artemis I will demonstrate the capabilities of both the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft.
That includes a test of the Orion heat shield.
When the spacecraft returns from its 25-day journey, it will be traveling nearly 25,000 mph and experience temperatures up to 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Orion should then splash down off the coast of San Diego on Dec. 11.
Technicians will conduct detailed inspections of Orion, and retrieve data recorded on board during the flight, which will help ensure the safe return of future crews.
Thousands cheered as they watched the mega rocket blast off into space.
Sightseers couldn’t believe their eyes as they watched the night sky.
Artemis I was brighter than any stars in the sky as it flew into orbit from Florida.
See more in the video above.
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