The Artemis II mission around the moon will be a brilliant last hurrah for several space shuttle engines and booster rocket parts that first flew as far back as 1982.

Artemis II could send humans near the moon for the 1st time since 1972 and crowds are expected to flood the Space Coast to bear witness.

Artemis II isn’t the only revolutionary space mission in America’s history. Here are a few rocket launches that stand out as pivotal moments in space exploration.

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While I was leading a tour of the National Air and Space Museum in January 2026, a visitor posed this insightful question: “Why has it taken so long to return to the Moon?” After all, NASA had the know-how and technology to send humans to the lunar surface more than 50 years ago as part of the Apollo program.

Explore the intricate journey and technology of the Space Shuttle program, including launch procedures, primarily at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This video covers the process of getting the Space Shuttle into orbit around the Earth.

The STS-51L mission clears the tower at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 28, 1986. Credit: NASA / Courtesy Sign up for the Concord Monitor’s morning newsletter for essential news each day, and our contests and ...

The program, located in Ferguson, uses interactive activities like rocket launches to inspire students to pursue careers in aeronautics and space exploration.

Senior NASA Test Director Jeff Spaulding said NASA’s goal is to “establish a presence” on the moon in the near future. The Artemis II mission is expected to launch Wednesday evening on a journey around the moon.