Humanity took its first step back to the Moon after 53 years as the US Artemis II circumlunar mission lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B in Florida at 6:35 PM EDT with four astronauts aboard.

As launch time approaches for NASA's first moonshot in more than half a century, anticipation is building for the Artemis II mission. Here's how to watch today's liftoff.

NASA begun fueling its moon rocket Wednesday for humanity’s first lunar trip in more than half a century, aiming for an evening liftoff with four astronauts. Tensions were high as hydrogen fuel started flowing into the rocket hours ahead of the planned launch.

The four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft are heading to the Moon after completing the critical engine burn that propels the capsule on its journey.

The next Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, potentially heading for the moon on Wednesday for the Artemis II mission, will be the most powerful operational rocket ever to launch by far, on par with the Artemis I launch in 2022.

Check back for live FLORIDA TODAY Space Team launch updates on this page, starting about 90 minutes before tomorrow's SpaceX Falcon 9 launch window opens.