By Joey Roulette CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, April 1 (Reuters) - NASA is set to launch four astronauts as soon as Wednesday evening on a 10-day flight around the moon, marking the most ambitious U.S. space mission in decades and a major step toward returning humans to the lunar surface before China's first crewed landing.

NASA's Artemis II astronauts will spend about 24 hours orbiting the Earth and running checks on their spacecraft and life support systems before heading to the moon.

The countdown has begun, for the first time in more than 50 years, NASA is launching a lunar mission in preparation for humans landing on the moon once again. The Artemis II is scheduled to launch Wednesday,

Nearly 12 hours into the mission, the crew has now officially started its first full day in space. These initial 24 hours are critical as the astronauts focus on essential system checks and orbital maneuvers to ensure the spacecraft is healthy before heading to the Moon.

NASA officials described the malfunction as a “controller issue”

Former NASA chief of staff Bale Dalton talks about the work that went into the Artemis mission plan and what to watch for on the journey.

The Pasadena lab plays a key role in data exchange and communications between four Artemis II astronauts and mission control. For many, the moon mission is the first time they’ll support a human space flight.

Read full article: NASA delays astronauts’ lunar trip until March after hydrogen leaks mar fueling test The Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft on Launch Pad 39B at after rollout from the VAB. ‘On its launch pad!’ NASA Artemis ...

Three Americans and one Canadian will embark on a 10-day journey as part of the Artemis II mission, the first to be crewed beyond low Earth orbit since the Apollo era.

After the successful launch of NASA’s Artemis II on Wednesday, another space mission is set to launch the following week, originating right from the Lowcountry. The