Apollo programme

The Apollo program was a United States effort from 1961 to 1972 that successfully landed humans on the Moon. It remains a landmark achievement in space exploration. News articles are currently focused on Artemis II, a successor program to Apollo. Artemis II is making headlines because it marks the first crewed mission to the Moon's vicinity since Apollo ended in 1972. The mission launched on April 2, 2026, carrying four astronauts. The crew is expected to reach the far side of the moon around April 6, 2026, potentially breaking the record for the greatest distance humans have traveled from Earth. Artemis II signifies a renewed focus on lunar exploration and serves as a crucial step towards establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon and eventually, Mars.