NASA is beginning a new era of space exploration as four astronauts were launched to the International Space Station for a long-duration science expedition. At the same time, a quartet of their colleagues are preparing for a mission to the Moon. On Feb. 11, 2026, Crew-12 launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket as a Space Launch System rocket is being prepared for the Artemis II mission for humanity’s first trip to the lunar region in more than 50 years.