Washington/Chennai, April 2 -- NASA's SLS (Space Launch System) rocket lifted off from Launch Pad 39B at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. EDT Wednesday (IST 4.05 AM Thursday) sending four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft on a planned test flight around the Moon and back, marking the farthest space sojourn ever undertaken by humans.
"Spurred by American ingenuity, astronauts on NASA's Artemis II mission are in flight, preparing for the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years," NASA said.
"Today's launch marks a defining moment for our nation and for all who believe in exploration. Artemis II builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump, returning humanity to the Moon for the first time in more...