Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Science
Richard Luscombe in Cape Canaveral

Artemis II marks Nasa’s new moon age, wrapped in patriotism and global promise

Rocket lifts off with smoke and fire coming from it and an American flag nearby
Nasa's Artemis II mission to fly by the moon lifts off from the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on Wednesday. Photograph: Brendan McDermid/Reuters

It gave the appearance of a true all-American moment: a Nasa moon rocket blasting into a clear Florida sky on the US space agency’s first crewed lunar mission in more than half a century, and a prominent stars and stripes flag flapping in the breeze alongside an oversized countdown clock.

The four astronauts on board, however, embarked on their 10-day odyssey with a unifying message for humankind.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.