NASA begins final countdown for first crewed moon mission in more than 50 years

CBS News
March 28, 2026
2 views
3 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

NASA's Artemis II crew arrived in Florida to begin final preparations for the first crewed moon mission in 50+ years.

AI Summary

NASA's Artemis II crew arrived in Florida on Friday to begin final preparations for the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years, marking a significant milestone in human spaceflight. The mission will return astronauts to the Moon for the first time since Apollo 17 concluded in 1972, representing a major step in NASA's effort to establish sustained lunar exploration and eventually support missions to Mars. The crew's arrival at the launch site indicates the agency is in the final stages of readying the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for flight. Artemis II aims to demonstrate that NASA has the capability to safely transport astronauts to lunar orbit and back, paving the way for subsequent missions that will land crews on the lunar surface.

What's Being Done

NASA is in final stages of readying the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for Artemis II, which will return astronauts to lunar orbit.

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Meet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century - AP News
Government Transparency

Meet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiigFBVV95cUxOMmtRN0w1TkNJVkotaFhfbVlvclBhTmxOSEtOUktxcmdjcXJNRUZUOUtQQ2VjTU92dVlEajFOaGpqUk1XX1BKUHFhcXNZR0U5VDV4X2k2Mk56M0djMThsVTFNNmJjR25KZ28tNEdJbzRpbFN5ZW1FMlI1YWdIRW90ZktfTXVmWGVsS1E?oc=5" target="_blank">Meet the Artemis crew in NASA's first astronaut mission to the moon in more than a half-century</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 28
Artemis II astronauts arrive at Florida launch site for first moon trip in 53 years - AP News
Government Transparency

Artemis II astronauts arrive at Florida launch site for first moon trip in 53 years - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMikgFBVV95cUxPNDNyUXJTYmVGaE12ZW1xNzc1MFh0c3lycXpMWF81VHg3a0FvNEpmemVYTVlIcXNiaTRxYkhNVmFWN2J5cTJJSFhZY19XUmxka2lEblgtT3hIc1ZCdlJMM1ZzVHFHa3ZTcjI5cmZmTjNURFNtcEtNLXVFdUh4cnlOU3ZlZ0t3LW1PZ21oWV9WSUw5QQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Artemis II astronauts arrive at Florida launch site for first moon trip in 53 years</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsMar 27
NASA to spend $20 billion on ambitious moon base
Government Transparency

NASA to spend $20 billion on ambitious moon base

In an on-going overhaul of NASA's Artemis program, agency officials say it will take seven years to build a sophisticated base on the moon.

CBS NewsMar 24
NASA unveils ambitious $20 billion moon base strategy: What to know
Government Transparency

NASA unveils ambitious $20 billion moon base strategy: What to know

"This time, the goal is to stay," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said Tuesday as NASA unveiled an ambitious $20 billion moon base strategy.

ABC NewsMar 24
Exclusive: US deploys uncrewed drone boats in conflict with Iran - Reuters
National Security

Exclusive: US deploys uncrewed drone boats in conflict with Iran - Reuters

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiswFBVV95cUxNYzJHYmtaaHA4R3BQVlB4eDNWU3JOQ1c0TFF4Uk4zcUlzYnhtNUFtdEpnVl9abEVWWXI3SzRUUkZ2UmJpb0NxMjZJZERNWW5LQ0s5eWptNzR2bnk5LVgzb1dwNTRwMTQtRkprOTZDcTlKYURjT1ctVVd6YnRNcEVFR016a0NDSmQyaW5YQ1hwaXFWSmFwSnIxbFdJTmd0QUdRN2RGZ3JtaGU1UjhKaW5TU1lIWQ?oc=5" target="_blank">Exclusive: US deploys uncrewed drone boats in conflict with Iran</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">Reuters</font>

ReutersMar 26
NASA kills lunar space station to focus on ambitious Moon base
Government Transparency

NASA kills lunar space station to focus on ambitious Moon base

Ars TechnicaMar 24
Read Next
The Justice Department plans to share sensitive voter data with Homeland Security
Government Transparency

The Justice Department plans to share sensitive voter data with Homeland Security

The Justice Department has sought voter data from states. It now says it plans to share that data with the Department of Homeland Security, to run it through a controversial citizenship check tool.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources