Thousands turned out for launch of Artemis ll that is flying four astronauts to orbit moon
發佈日期: 2026-04-02 21:09
TVB News
Four astronauts embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon Wednesday, humanity's first lunar voyage in more than half a century.
Carrying three Americans and one Canadian, the 32-story rocket rose from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre where tens of thousands gathered to witness the dawn of a new era.
And here we go 10, 9, 8, 7, engine's lit 4, 3, 2,1 booster ignition and lift off.
The 32-story moon rocket blasted off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center Wednesday evening carrying the four astronauts. Spectators at Space View Park in Titusville cheered as the rocket lifted off.
Gabriella Martinez from Daytona Beach, Florida said she arrived early at the park. "I got here around 7 a.m. I woke up around 4, got ready, and came down here. I did not expect the parking lot here to be full already, and the parking lots nearby to be full. I'm like parked like a mile down that way. I didn't expect that. So, it's great to see so many people though."
And Atlanta resident Jeff Wilson said: "It's been a dream of mine to watch a launch. You know, I grew up during the Apollo era. Remember watching the landing on TV. So yeah, it's something I've been wanting
to do for a long time."
During a post-launch briefing, NASA administrator Jared Isaacman gave updates. "Now about 51 minutes into the flight during a planned handover between satellites, the Orion spacecraft underwent a communications issue, leading to a temporary partial loss of comms. The uplink from CAPCOM to the crew was being heard by the crew, but we cannot hear the responses for a brief period of time. There were no issues with the vehicle itself. Comms with the crew had been restored."
Meanwhile watch parties took place not only in Florida but other states like here in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. Elkins Park SkyWatcher Hector Ybe said: "We are like, Elkins Park SkyWatchers, so we are part of the NASA Night Sky Network. Our work is to communicate and to educate the community in terms of astronomy and education. So, the NASA is - NASA Night Sky Network send us resources to teach the community about the space, exploration and to show that there's something beyond that."
The Artemis II crew will spend a day in orbit around the Earth checking their capsule before firing the main engine that will propel them to the moon.
The nearly 10-day mission will see them fly around the moon and set a distance record, before coming back home.
