NASA is preparing for the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed mission to the Moon since the Apollo era, scheduled for April 1 from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The mission will carry four astronauts and will take them around the Moon for a 10-day mission, marking a significant milestone in NASA's efforts to return astronauts to deep space and the surface of the moon. The Orion spacecraft, which has never previously flown with humans, will be tested for critical systems such as life support and navigation. The spacecraft will orbit Earth multiple times before heading toward the Moon, traveling roughly 5,000 miles above the lunar surface. It is expected to return about 10 days after launch, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of San Diego.