Artemis II mission fires up engines in next step of moon mission

NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully fired its engines to propel the Orion capsule out of Earth's orbit toward the moon. This engine burn is a critical milestone in the uncrewed test flight, which is designed to validate the spacecraft and systems before NASA sends astronauts on the Artemis III mission to the lunar surface. The successful maneuver demonstrates that Orion's propulsion systems are functioning as intended during this key phase of the journey. Artemis II is part of NASA's broader effort to return humans to the moon for the first time since the Apollo program ended in 1972. The mission's success will help inform how NASA proceeds with its goal of establishing a sustained lunar exploration program.