NASA successfully launched its Artemis II Moon mission on Wednesday, and some travelers were lucky enough to see it live from their airplane seat.
The Orion spacecraft carrying four astronauts lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 6:35 p.m. ET for the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years.
The timing turned out to be perfect for passengers on several flights departing from and arriving in Florida on Wednesday evening, with some posting the dramatic footage from several unique vantage points to social media.
"Today’s launch marks a defining moment for our nation and for all who believe in exploration," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement. "Artemis II builds on the vision set by President Donald J. Trump, returning humanity to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years and opening the next chapter of lunar exploration beyond Apollo."
"Aboard Orion are four remarkable explorers preparing for the first crewed flight of this rocket and spacecraft, a true test mission that will carry them farther and faster than any humans in a generation," added Isaacman. "Artemis II is the start of something bigger than any one mission. It marks our return to the Moon, not just to visit, but to eventually stay on our Moon Base, and lays the foundation for the next giant leaps ahead."
The Artemis II mission is scheduled to last approximately 10 days, concluding with the astronauts returning to Earth and splashing down in the Pacific Ocean later this month.
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