Washington: NASA announced that the first mission of the Artemis II plan is scheduled to launch in 2026, carrying astronauts on a journey around the Moon and back to Earth.
According to Qatar News Agency, NASA explained that Artemis II will send four astronauts on a 10-day mission aboard the Space Launch System (SLS). The mission will feature unprecedented medical studies conducted by the crew to better understand the effects of deep space on the human body, in preparation for future missions to the Moon and Mars.
NASA's Acting Deputy Associate Administrator for the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate, Lakiesha Hawkins, stated: "The launch window could open as early as the fifth of February, but we want to emphasize that safety is our top priority."
Artemis II is part of a series of missions led by NASA aimed at enabling astronauts to reach the Moon by 2030.