NASA’s Artemis II has launched astronauts around the moon for the first time since 1972 — the first step toward a planned lunar landing in 2028.

NASA officials said Sunday that the crew, Space Launch System rocket and Orion capsule are ready to launch the Artemis II mission to circle the moon.

From a race with China to lunar discoveries, the US is investing time, effort and money to head to the Moon - and beyond.