Follow along live as NASA sends astronauts into the moon's orbit with the launch of its key Artemis II mission on April 1.

Follow live updates on NASA's Artemis II moon mission. Get the latest from Kennedy Space Center and find information on timing and how to watch the rocket launch.

By Joey Roulette CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida, April 1 (Reuters) - Four astronauts blasted off from Florida on Wednesday on NASA's Artemis II mission, a high-stakes 10-day trip around the moon that marks the United States' boldest step yet toward returning humans to the lunar surface this decade before China's first crewed landing.

HOUSTON, When four astronauts strap into NASA’s Orion spacecraft for the first crewed lunar flyby in more than 50 years, their safety will depend not just on the vehicle but on a layered network of engineers,

NASA's Artemis II mission is sending four astronauts on a nine-and-a-half-day journey around the moon and back. The launch window at the Kennedy Space Center opened at 6:24 p.m. EDT and the rocket lifted off at 6:35 p.m. EDT. Watch live coverage on CBS News.

NASA's Artemis II mission will send four astronauts around the moon. Follow their journey with the agency's official real-time online tracker.

Live updates from the Artemis II mission, which launched April 1 from Kennedy Space Center on a 10-day test flight around the moon.

In high-stakes roles, NASA launch and mission control teams on the ground will keep the Artemis II astronauts safely on track during a 10-day journey around the moon.

The Artemis 2 mission is due to send astronauts on a test mission to the moon and back during the "opening act" of a new age of discovery.

The Pasadena lab plays a key role in data exchange and communications between four Artemis II astronauts and mission control. For many, the moon mission is the first time they’ll support a human space flight.