Rep. Haridopolos Celebrates Successful Artemis II Launch

Cape Canaveral, FL - Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Haridopolos (FL-08) celebrates the successful launch of Artemis II from Kennedy Space Center, marking a historic milestone for American leadership in space and a major victory for Florida's Space Coast.

"Here on the Space Coast, we don't just watch history-we make it. And today, we made history once again," said Congressman Haridopolos. "This is a proud day for Florida and a defining moment for America, made possible by the dedication of our local engineers, technicians, small businesses, and workforce who power every launch, every innovation, and every success right here at home."

Launching from the same historic ground that sent Apollo astronauts to the Moon, Artemis II represents the first time humans have traveled beyond low Earth orbit in more than 50 years.

The mission carries four astronauts-Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen-aboard NASA's Orion spacecraft for a 10-day mission around the Moon, sending humans farther from Earth than ever before.

Powered by NASA's Space Launch System (the most powerful rocket ever built), the mission will test every critical system aboard the Orion spacecraft, including propulsion, navigation, and life support, with astronauts onboard. Traveling at speeds of nearly 24,000 miles per hour, the crew will journey around the Moon and return safely to Earth, paving the way for future lunar landings and missions to Mars.

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