On the 30th (local time), at Launch Complex 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, United States, the Artemis II crew pose for a group photo during a visit to the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft for the Artemis II mission. From left: Reid Wiseman, Artemis II mission commander; Victor Glover, Artemis II pilot; Christina Koch, Artemis II mission specialist; Jeremy Hansen of the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), Artemis II mission specialist. /Courtesy of NASA

With two days left until the launch of Artemis II, the first crewed spacecraft headed for the moon in about 50 years, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has begun the full countdown.

According to foreign media outlets including The Associated Press, NASA on the 30th (local time) began a total 49 hours and 40 minutes of countdown procedures at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the launch of Artemis II.

NASA said that with the start of the countdown, the launch preparation team began powering key equipment and preliminary work for communications checks and loading cryogenic liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen.

Starting 16 hours before launch, everyone except essential personnel will leave the Launch Complex 39B area. Four hours before launch, the astronauts will complete boarding the Orion spacecraft. The final launch time is 6:24 p.m. on the 1st of next month, Eastern time.

NASA currently sees an 80% chance of favorable weather conditions on launch day. However, strong winds and cloud cover are expected to be variables.

Launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson said, "Our team has worked incredibly hard to get to this moment," adding, "By all indications, it's clear we are in great shape right now."

Even if the launch is delayed due to deteriorating weather, NASA assessed that suitable conditions for launch would hold through Apr. 6.

Artemis II was originally scheduled to launch in Feb. this year. But the schedule was adjusted due to a hydrogen fuel leak and an issue in the helium flow system.

If this launch succeeds, it will set a new mark as the first crewed spacecraft to enter lunar orbit in about half a century since Apollo 17 in 1972.

The Orion capsule carrying the astronauts will circle Earth orbit, swing around the moon in a U-turn-like trajectory, and return to Earth.

Unlike the Apollo program, which was centered on white men, this project drew attention for diversity as astronauts who are people of color, women, and a Canadian national joined.

Victor Glover, a Black astronaut, said, "Someday we won't need to talk about 'firsts' anymore."

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