Four astronauts traveled farther than any human has ever been before, and they did so using technology built in Massachusetts.
The Artemis II traveled 252,000 miles from Earth, going around the moon and taking pictures of its dark side.
The mission is a crucial step in the future of space exploration, helping show future astronauts the challenges that come with interstellar travel.
People across the country watched as the rocket took off, using technology developed at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington.
Much of what was used on the mission was made possible thanks to some of the brightest minds in New England — including the communication system, developed at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington.
“The entire laser communication system, Massachusetts made. The navigation systems and software, Draper Lab — Massachusetts made. Even those orange spacesuits,” Gov. Maura Healey said.