The Artemis II is the first crewed lunar flight in over 50 years. Photos show the US' exploration of the moon through history.

"For the first time in 54 years, American astronauts are heading back to the moon. The Artemis II is set to launch on April 1, after years of delays and concerns regarding landing sites and the shrinking moon."

"Glover will be the first Black astronaut to circle the moon, while Koch will be the first woman, and Hansen will be the first Canadian. While this crew won't actually walk on the moon, they'll be the first to leave Earth's low orbit since Apollo 17 in 1972."

"Just a few years earlier, on July 20, 1969, NASA landed its first crewed spacecraft on the moon. The mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's 1961 challenge to the US to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade."

"In total, NASA put 12 astronauts on the moon's surface. In the five decades since, however, no US spacecraft has returned with people. But that's all about to change."

Artemis II is set to launch on April 1, marking the first crewed flight to the moon in over 50 years. Four astronauts, including Victor Glover, Christina Koch, Jeremy Hansen, and Reid Wiseman, will participate. Glover will be the first Black astronaut to circle the moon, Koch the first woman, and Hansen the first Canadian. This mission will not land on the moon; that will occur with Artemis IV in 2028. The last crewed mission to the moon was Apollo 17 in 1972, and since then, no US spacecraft has returned with people.

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