NASA has begun a very important phase, as the countdown to the launch of the “Artemis 2” mission has begun, which is an essential step towards sending humans back to the moon after more than fifty years.

Mission launch manager Charlie Blackwell-Thompson announced that the countdown had already begun, and confirmed that the team had worked hard to reach this stage.

In a press conference, she said: “The launch window extends from April 1 to April 6, with the operation likely to be carried out on the first day if things go according to plan.”

NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya explained that recent assessments showed that the systems were ready and that there was nothing hindering the launch process.

He added that the technical teams played an essential role in overcoming previous challenges, and praised the efforts of the workers, whom he described as the “lifeline” of the agency.

The mission was planned to launch earlier, but technical problems during tests led to its postponement, and a new launch period was set for April.

“Artemis 2” is expected to be the first manned mission to orbit the Moon since 1972, and will include astronauts Reed Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch from NASA, in addition to Jeremy Hansen from the Canadian Space Agency.

The journey will take about ten days, during which the vehicle will orbit the Moon before returning to Earth, in a crucial test before carrying out future landing missions.

The launch process is subject to precise timing and technical equations, as the space launch system must place the “Orion” vehicle in the correct orbit, while ensuring accurate alignment between the Earth and the Moon when carrying out the main maneuvers.

The flight path must also take care that the vehicle does not remain in the shade for long periods, to ensure that the solar panels receive sufficient power and maintain appropriate temperatures for vital systems.

NASA confirms that the success of “Artemis 2” will be a turning point in its space program, as it is considered an essential step towards returning humans to the surface of the moon, in preparation for broader future missions that include exploring Mars.

As the launch date approaches, all eyes are on this mission as a milestone in the history of modern space exploration.