The NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View has played a significant role in preparing for the Artemis II mission, a test flight for future launches that aim to land the first astronauts on the moon's surface since the Apollo missions. The research center used computer models to ensure the rocket's ascent into space, simulating the return of NASA's Orion space capsule to Earth, and guiding the mission's lunar observations. The launch of the Space Launch System rocket is set to take off from Florida on Wednesday evening with four astronauts. Unlike previous missions, Artemis II's debut crew includes a woman, a person of color, and a non-U.S. citizen.