NASA to return Crew 11
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NASA to roll out rocket for Artemis 2 moon mission
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Four astronauts are about to become the first humans to venture near the moon in more than half a century since NASA's iconic Apollo era ended.
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2026 is the year humanity will finally go back to the moon
Whether Artemis ultimately fulfills its promise of sustained lunar exploration, or is reshaped by politics, budgets and competition with China, the program's first crewed flight around the moon will mark a definitive turning point. In 2026, humanity isn't just planning to return to lunar space — it's actually going.
NASA plans to send four astronauts on a mission to circumnavigate the moon, the first human lunar mission in over 50 years. SpaceX is expected to debut a new version of its Starship megarocket and continue developing it for future moon and Mars missions.