Artemis II crew boards Orion capsule

The Artemis II crew has boarded the Orion capsule ahead of their imminent launch for a crewed mission around the moon. This marks a critical milestone in NASA's effort to return astronauts to lunar orbit for the first time since the Apollo program ended in 1972. The mission represents a key test of the agency's hardware and procedures before attempting a crewed lunar landing under the Artemis program. Former NASA administrator Charles Bolden, himself an experienced astronaut, is providing analysis of the mission's significance. The launch will demonstrate whether the Orion capsule and Space Launch System are ready for the deep-space missions planned in coming years.