The Artemis II crew will travel farther than any human before. Here's everything you need to know about the historic moment.

And now for the dangerous part. Artemis II is officially flying to the moon after firing its thrusters and leaving Earth’s orbit at 7:49 p.m. — beginning an epic four-day journey that will take the crew where only 24 humans have gone before.

The four crew members of Artemis II set a distance record for humanity as they flew beyond the lunar surface, over 250,000 miles from Earth.

The engine firing provided a slingshot-like boost to the Orion capsule, speeding it up to some 25,000 mph, the velocity needed to break free of Earth's gravitational clasp for a trek to the moon.

NASA’s Artemis II will send astronauts around the Moon in a historic mission. From liftoff to lunar flyby and splashdown, here’s a step-by-step breakdown of how the spacecraft will travel, orbit, and return safely—explained simply.

The Artemis II crew will be the first humans to see parts of the moon's far side never before witnessed by human eyes.

NASA had the Artemis II crew stick close to home for a day to test their capsule’s life-support systems before clearing them for lunar departure.

NASA’s Artemis II astronauts fired their engines and blazed toward the moon Thursday. It’s the first translunar ignition for a moon crew since Apollo 17. (AP Photo)

NASA confirms Artemis II crew aboard the Orion capsule has entered the Moon’s sphere of gravitational influence on a historic, deep-space milestone.