Rob Coppinger

The Editorial staff of @BIS_spaceflight SPACEFLIGHT magazine congratulates @NASA and @esa and their space industry partners on a historic launch that sets the US space programme and its international partners on a new trajectory for human expansion across the Solar System.

Orion has made the USS2 burn to raise its perigee. ICPS remains in a 11 x 70358 km orbit; Orion now in a 118 x 70134 km orbit.

The Orion spacecraft successfully separated from the upper stage of the rocket, and the "proximity operations" test is underway. The Artemis II astronauts are manually piloting Orion similarly to how they would if they were docking with another spacecraft.

@Stuck4ger I drove halfway across the country with Carroll…snuck onto the airfield and slept in the back of an unlocked Huey in a hangar…to watch his first flight above the Kármán line in 2004. Godspeed, Mike. A true hero.

In all seriousness this may have been my favorite shot from Artemis II so far

@NASAArtemis A view of the Artemis II liftoff from an airplane.

The Artemis II crew has successfully completed the proximity operations demonstration! This test allows the astronauts to practice piloting Orion similarly to how they would if they were docking with another spacecraft — an important early test objective for the mission.

At the Artemis II launch today. Saw friends and retired astronauts, Senator Mark Kelly and Scott Kelly. Their leadership and experience remind us what’s possible when we keep pushing the boundaries of exploration.

A historic moment for Canada! 🚀 Artemis II launched at 6:35 pm (ET). CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen becomes the first Canadian to lift off for a mission around the Moon. Make sure to follow us to stay updated during the next 10 days!  🌕

We have lift off! 🚀🌕 @spacegovuk is proud to support @NASA and international partners on #ArtemisII, a major step toward returning crews to the Moon and onward to Mars. As an original signatory of the Artemis Accords, the UK remains committed to safe, cooperative space exploration. Goonhilly Earth Station in Cornwall is providing tracking support for this mission.

Later today, we will witness the historic launch of Artemis II. This rocket will take four astronauts further into space than humans have ever gone before. On their 10-day journey, they will travel roughly 250,000 miles into space, circle around the Moon, and then return to Earth. This is an incredibly exciting moment for humankind and I am grateful to be able to witness the launch. Tune in to NASA.gov to follow along.

America’s next leap is underway.. Godspeed Artemis II 🇺🇸

@PJMahon @NASAArtemis @NASA It's gonna be 'lit' as the kids say.

@Rob_Coppinger @NASAArtemis @NASA Are you there, Rob? Lucky, lucky you! Looking forward to the report in SpaceFlight!

You could see the glow from the engines as it ascended and SRB separation was visible from the ground at about 2min 11secs. You saw the three points of light as the two SRB points of light diverged from the core stage. @NASAArtemis @NASA #NASAMoonCrew

@ShuttleAlmanac @NASAArtemis @NASA Yes, went to see five, three launched with one being a night launch. A different kind of impressive to SLS.

@Rob_Coppinger @NASAArtemis @NASA Did you ever see a Shuttle launch?

My dad would’ve loved this. Godspeed, Artemis II!

We are going for all humanity! - Reid Wiseman

On their way to the Moon.

And then they had ascended. @NASAArtemis II. @NASA @esa For All Mankind.

Liftoff. The Artemis II mission launched from @NASAKennedy at 6:35pm ET (2235 UTC), propelling four astronauts on a journey around the Moon. Artemis II will pave the way for future Moon landings, as well as the next giant leap — astronauts on Mars.