NASA anticipates an 80% chance of favorable weather for the launch, although the main concerns are clouds and strong winds. 'It is our strong hope that this mission marks the beginning of an era in which everyone, every person on Earth, can look at the Moon and think of it as a destination,' stated NASA astronaut Christina Koch, mission specialist, from quarantine in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The four astronauts of Artemis II, the first crewed journey around the Moon in over 50 years, held a final virtual press conference before the launch, scheduled from Kennedy Space Center. The mission, which will last 10 days, represents 'a stepping stone to Mars,' where there is a greater chance of finding evidence of past life, Koch highlighted. 'We are doing this for all and for everyone, this is what NASA represents,' expressed Wiseman. On launch day, the astronauts will wake up eight hours before liftoff. Victor Glover indicated that his final actions will be to pray and say goodbye to his family. Meanwhile, Jeremy Hansen highlighted that one of the most exciting moments will be observing a solar eclipse from space, with the Sun hiding behind the Moon. This is the second mission of the Artemis program, following the 2022 uncrewed flight, and precedes future missions that will seek humanity's return to the lunar surface and the establishment of a permanent presence. 'We are ready to go, the team is ready to go and the vehicle is ready to depart,' clarified Wiseman, who warned that they may need several attempts before the launch. A mission that is already making history. The flight will be historic for being the first lunar mission with a woman, Christina Koch; a Black man, pilot Victor Glover; and a representative from Canada, Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency. 'We have the opportunity to answer the question that could be the question of our lifetime, and that is: are we alone?' The Artemis II crew expressed their hope that this mission will be a milestone for the Moon to be seen as an accessible destination for all before departing on a rocket that will travel around the natural satellite.
