Moon-bound Artemis II astronauts enjoy a relaxed day in space
The Artemis II astronauts continued their long coast to the moon, capturing stunning photos along the way.
Watch CBS News
Bill Harwood has been covering the U.S. space program full-time since 1984, first as Cape Canaveral bureau chief for United Press International and now as a consultant for CBS News. He covered 129 space shuttle missions, every interplanetary flight since Voyager 2's flyby of Neptune and scores of commercial and military launches. Based at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Harwood is a devoted amateur astronomer and co-author of "Comm Check: The Final Flight of Shuttle Columbia."
The Artemis II astronauts continued their long coast to the moon, capturing stunning photos along the way.
The engine firing provided a slingshot-like boost to the Orion capsule, speeding it to 24,500 mph, the velocity needed to break free of Earth's gravitational clasp for a trek to the moon.
NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.
NASA's Artemis II astronauts launched on a nine-and-a-half-day mission around the moon and back.
Forecasters continue to predict an 80% chance of favorable weather on Wednesday for the launch of four astronauts on a flight to the moon.
Countdown clocks began ticking Monday, setting the stage for launch of the Artemis II moon mission early Wednesday evening.
NASA's Artemis II astronauts — three space station veterans and a Canadian rookie — stand out even in an astronaut corps full of super achievers.
NASA launched four astronauts on a historic nine-day trip around the moon and back. Here's everything to know about the Artemis II mission.
The countdown to launch of the Artemis II crew's flight around the moon begins Monday at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The Artemis II countdown will begin March 30, setting up a launch attempt on April 1 at 6:24 p.m. Eastern Time.
In an on-going overhaul of NASA's Artemis program, agency officials say it will take seven years to build a sophisticated base on the moon.
After a trip back out to the launch pad, NASA's Artemis II rocket will be readied for a historic flight to the moon.
NASA's huge Space Launch System rocket has been repaired and is ready for rollout back to the launch pad next week.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced significant changes to the agency's Artemis program, which aims to land on the moon in 2028.
Fixing the Space Launch System rocket's helium pressurization problem has pushed the Artemis II launch to at least April 1.