CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. — The Space Launch System rocket lifted off at 3:35 p.m. Pacific time from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, carrying four astronauts on the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years. The Artemis II mission is scheduled to last 10 days.

NASA resolved all launch preparation issues before proceeding with the launch. Engineers had identified an issue with the hardware that communicates with the system designed to detonate the rocket to protect public safety if it veers off course, a fluke temperature reading on the Launch Abort System and a brief telemetry issue with the capsule.

"On this historic mission, you take with you the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of a new generation," said Charlie Blackwell-Thompson, Artemis II launch director. "Good luck. Godspeed, Artemis II. Let's go."

The four astronauts aboard Artemis II will perform a flyby of the moon without landing or entering lunar orbit. The flyby mission is intended to test the rocket, life support systems, and flight procedures ahead of a planned lunar landing in 2028.

Victor Glover will pilot the Artemis II mission. If the mission is successful, Glover will be the first Black person to travel to the moon, Christina Koch will be the first woman to travel to the moon, Jeremy Hansen will be the first non-American to travel to the moon, and Reid Wiseman, at age 50, will be the oldest person to travel to the moon.

The crew will practice manually piloting the spacecraft while still near Earth. The mission includes studies on astronaut sleep and mental health, and on how deep-space radiation and microgravity affect organs and the immune system.

NASA expects the crew to reach the moon on Monday morning around 10 a.m. Pacific time. NASA expects to temporarily lose communication with the crew as they pass the far side of the moon. NASA anticipates the crew will break the Apollo 13 crew's record for the farthest distance any human has traveled from Earth.

The crew capsule is set to enter Earth's atmosphere at roughly 30 times the speed of sound on April 10. NASA anticipates that this could be the fastest reentry of a crewed capsule in history. NASA anticipates the crew will splash down off the coast of San Diego around 5 p.m. Pacific time.

"Artemis II is the opening act. We're going into the golden age of science and discovery right now," said Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator.