The United States is preparing to send astronauts around the Moon for the first time in more than half a century, riding a towering new rocket that is now assembled and undergoing final checks in Florida.

"It’s amazing to think that this thing I have been working on in various capacities for the last eight years is about to send four astronauts around the moon for the first time in a half-century.”

For the first time in more than half a century, humans are preparing to leave Earth’s orbit and head near the moon, with NASA’s Artemis 2 mission set to launch in 2026. Decades after the last Apollo astronauts gazed back at our celestial neighbor,

Using lunar ice to make rocket fuel could help future lunar settlements sustain themselves and provide a launch pad for astronauts to reach Mars.

SpaceX will likely have to achieve the feat in 2026 for Starship to send astronauts to the Moon with Artemis III. An orbital refueling demonstration will also be crucial to achieving its goal of flying to Mars and taking humanity to the next level of space exploration.

If you thought 2025 was an exciting year for spaceflight, just wait until 2026. Here's a look at six missions that could define the year.

The Artemis II mission, which could launch as early as February, is expected to send four astronauts on a trip to the moon, though they won't land on its surface.

International Moon Day was celebrated on July 20, observing the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. The Apollo 11 mission, which launched from Florida, kickstarted a rich history of rocket launches from The Sunshine State. Florida's Space Coast ...