(Cape Canaveral, FL) – Following years of preparation and several launch delays, the crew of Artemis II says they’re ready for their mission around the moon.
The first manned-mission to the moon in more than half-a-century could take off as soon as Wednesday.
The three Americans and one Canadian astronauts of the Artemis II crew answered questions about the mission Sunday while in quarantine ahead of the launch.
Mission Specialist Christina Koch said she hopes their flight is a step towards making space travel to the moon as a destination easier.
The mission is scheduled to last ten days and so far weather is 80% go for the April first launch.
NASA is also introducing a new Moon Mascot for the Artemis Two mission. Commander Reid Wiseman says NASA received submissions from students all over the world and the winner is Lucas Ye, a second grader from Mountain View, California.
The official zero-gravity indicator mascot called “Rise” is a plush toy featuring a smiling moon wearing a hat adorned with Earth, a galaxy, and rockets.
Rise will fly on the mission to indicate when the crew has entered orbit.