Nasa’s Artemis II rocket lifts off for historic moon mission

Throng of spectators gathers for Florida launch as astronauts head to moon for first time in almost 54 years

Artemis II launch – follow live updates

Nasa’s moon rocket Artemis II launched on Wednesday evening, carrying astronauts to the moon for the first time in almost 54 years.

The launch marks the first time since the Apollo 17 mission of December 1972 that humans will have left lower Earth orbit.