Four astronauts have embarked on a high-stakes flight around the moon, humanity’s first lunar voyage in more than half a century.

As @nasa gets set to launch Artemis II on April 1, space enthusiasts in southeast Louisiana are cheering on the team at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility.

NASA didn't pack any tree seeds this time, but the Canadian Space Agency did, continuing the tradition. As a member of the Artemis II crew, Canadian astronaut Hansen is the first non-American on a deep space flight. Other seeds, including a packet of zinnias and chili peppers, are also on board.

Many of the photos that have come out of the moon mission so far were taken by crew members. NASA says the crew is getting guidance from scientists on what to capture when they get closer to the moon.

NASA executed several engine firings on Thursday. The apogee raise burn sent Orion into high-Earth orbit, where the backdrop offered a striking view of the planet.

A NASA crew of four astronauts are preparing for a critical stage of their journey that will set them on course for the moon, a step that will ultimately bring them closer to the lunar surface than anyone has been in more than 50 years.

The Artemis II crew are now hurtling around the earth's orbit, carrying out final tests and checks before they head towards the moon.

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts fired their engines and blazed toward the moon Thursday night, breaking free of Earth orbit for the first time since 1972.