NASA's Space Launch System rocket took flight for the first time Wednesday, ushering in a new era of exploration for the space agency.
Why it matters: This uncrewed launch — called Artemis I — is expected to pave the way for NASA to one day send astronauts to the Moon for the first time since the end of the Apollo program in the 1970s.
The uncontrolled fall of pieces of a large rocket launched by China is exposing the potentially extreme consequences of eroding norms in space.
Why it matters: As space becomes crowded with satellites, rockets and more people, creating rules that everyone adheres to is becoming crucial for preventing damage to satellites, harm to people — and conflict among space-faring nations.
After multiple technical and weather delays, NASA is set to launch its Artemis I mission in the early hours of Wednesday morning on a trip to circle the Moon.
Why it matters: It will be the first launch of the huge Space Launch System rocket, which is a key component of the space agency's plans to one day return people to the surface of the Moon.
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