NASA's Artemis I mission, the agency's next step in preparing to return humans to the lunar surface, lifted off early November 16.

The launch schedule had been riddled with delays, having been postponed twice due to mechanical issues. Two hurricanes delayed the launch further, with Hurricane Nicole causing minor damage to the rocket after it endured hurricane force winds while on the launchpad.

The uncrewed spacecraft traveled beyond the moon, farther than any spacecraft built for humans has ever flown, and returned to Earth after 25.5 days.

The ambitious mission kicked off NASA's Artemis program, which is aiming for the return of humans to the moon and beyond. If Artemis I is successful, NASA hopes to send the first woman and first person of color to the moon later this decade, and eventually make way for human exploration of Mars.

NASA's Orion capsule splashes down off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, on December 11 after a successful 25.5-day mission.
NASA's Orion capsule splashes down off the coast of Baja California, Mexico, on December 11 after a successful 25.5-day mission.
Caroline Brehman/Pool/Getty Images
NASA's Orion spacecraft captured a photo of the Earth and moon on the twelfth day of the Artemis I mission. Orion reaching a maximum distance of nearly 270,000 miles from Earth, before beginning the trip back.
NASA's Orion spacecraft captured a photo of the Earth and moon on the twelfth day of the Artemis I mission. Orion reaching a maximum distance of nearly 270,000 miles from Earth, before beginning the trip back.
NASA
NASA's Orion spacecraft uses its optical navigation camera to take a black-and-white photo of the moon on day six of the mission.
NASA's Orion spacecraft uses its optical navigation camera to take a black-and-white photo of the moon on day six of the mission.
NASA
The inside of the Orion crew module is seen on day one in space. At left is Commander Moonikin Campos, a mannequin equipped with sensors to collect data that will help scientists and engineers understand the deep-space environment for future missions.
The inside of the Orion crew module is seen on day one in space. At left is Commander Moonikin Campos, a mannequin equipped with sensors to collect data that will help scientists and engineers understand the deep-space environment for future missions.
NASA
On the first day of the Artemis I mission, this photo was captured by a camera on the tip of one of Orion's solar arrays. NASA says the spacecraft was 57,000 miles from Earth when the image was taken.
On the first day of the Artemis I mission, this photo was captured by a camera on the tip of one of Orion's solar arrays. NASA says the spacecraft was 57,000 miles from Earth when the image was taken.
NASA
Spectators cheer as the Artemis I rocket lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on November 16.
Spectators cheer as the Artemis I rocket lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on November 16.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Spectators watch the launch of the the Artemis I rocket.
Spectators watch the launch of the the Artemis I rocket.
Bill Ingalls/NASA/Getty Images
People watch the launch from the Banana Creek viewing site at Kennedy Space Center.
People watch the launch from the Banana Creek viewing site at Kennedy Space Center.
Keegan Barber/NASA
The Artemis I rocket lifts off through the night sky, seen in this long-exposure photograph taken from Merritt Island, Florida.
The Artemis I rocket lifts off through the night sky, seen in this long-exposure photograph taken from Merritt Island, Florida.
Malcolm Denemark/AP
Guests at the Banana Creek viewing site wait for the launch on November 15.
Guests at the Banana Creek viewing site wait for the launch on November 15.
Keegan Barber/NASA
Technicians inspect the Artemis I rocket on November 13, after hurricane force winds caused minor damage.
Technicians inspect the Artemis I rocket on November 13, after hurricane force winds caused minor damage.
Chris O'Meara/AP
Photographers set up remote cameras in front of the launch pad on November 12.
Photographers set up remote cameras in front of the launch pad on November 12.
Chris O'Meara/AP
The Artemis I rocket rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building on its way back to Launch Pad 39B shortly after midnight on November 4.
The Artemis I rocket rolls out of the Vehicle Assembly Building on its way back to Launch Pad 39B shortly after midnight on November 4.
Joel Kowsky/NASA/AP
The Artemis I spacecraft is rolled back to NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building on September 27, the day of the third launch attempt. Hurricane Ian's approach forced NASA to postpone yet again.
The Artemis I spacecraft is rolled back to NASA's Vehicle Assembly Building on September 27, the day of the third launch attempt. Hurricane Ian's approach forced NASA to postpone yet again.
Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images
Before the launch was scrubbed on September 3, spectators wait for the NASA Artemis I rocket to launch at the Kennedy Space Center.
Before the launch was scrubbed on September 3, spectators wait for the NASA Artemis I rocket to launch at the Kennedy Space Center.
Brynn Anderson/AP
The NASA launch countdown clock was stopped after the launch was delayed on August 29.
The NASA launch countdown clock was stopped after the launch was delayed on August 29.
Thom Baur/Reuters
A satellite view of the Artemis I spacecraft on August 25.
A satellite view of the Artemis I spacecraft on August 25.
Maxar Technologies
The rocket sits at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B on August 17.
The rocket sits at Kennedy Space Center's Launch Pad 39B on August 17.
Joel Kowsky/NASA
A solid rocket booster motor fires up on July 21 at Northrop Grumman's test facility in Promontory, Utah. The booster motor, positioned horizontally for the ground test, fired for a little over two minutes and produced 3.6 million pounds of thrust, according to NASA.
A solid rocket booster motor fires up on July 21 at Northrop Grumman's test facility in Promontory, Utah. The booster motor, positioned horizontally for the ground test, fired for a little over two minutes and produced 3.6 million pounds of thrust, according to NASA.
Northrop Grumman/NASA
The moon peeks behind the Artemis I rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 15, days before a wet dress rehearsal test of NASA's Space Launch System.
The moon peeks behind the Artemis I rocket in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on June 15, days before a wet dress rehearsal test of NASA's Space Launch System.
Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP/Getty Images
A spectator takes a selfie in front of Artemis I on March 17, ahead of NASA's first <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2022%2F04%2F01%2Fworld%2Fartemis-i-wet-dress-rehearsal-test-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">wet dress rehearsal</a>.
A spectator takes a selfie in front of Artemis I on March 17, ahead of NASA's first wet dress rehearsal.
Kim Shiflett/NASA
Teams from Johnson Space Center, Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs TOSC conduct final inspections of a mannequin on November 9, 2021. The mannequin, called Commander Moonikin Campos in honor of NASA engineer <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2021%2F06%2F29%2Fus%2Fnasa-artemis-moonikin-arturo-campos-scn%2Findex.html" target="_blank">Arturo Campos</a>, is one of three mannequins that will take the place of humans aboard the Orion spacecraft.
Teams from Johnson Space Center, Exploration Ground Systems and Jacobs TOSC conduct final inspections of a mannequin on November 9, 2021. The mannequin, called Commander Moonikin Campos in honor of NASA engineer Arturo Campos, is one of three mannequins that will take the place of humans aboard the Orion spacecraft.
Ben Smegelsky/NASA
Michael Boyer, a meteorological data specialist, prepares weather balloons for an Artemis I weather simulation at Cape Canaveral on November 3, 2021.
Michael Boyer, a meteorological data specialist, prepares weather balloons for an Artemis I weather simulation at Cape Canaveral on November 3, 2021.
Kim Shiflett/NASA
The fully assembled Orion spacecraft is lifted above the Space Launch System rocket at Kennedy Space Center on October 20, 2021. The stacking completed assembly for the Artemis I flight test.
The fully assembled Orion spacecraft is lifted above the Space Launch System rocket at Kennedy Space Center on October 20, 2021. The stacking completed assembly for the Artemis I flight test.
Frank Michaux/NASA
Spectators take photos at the unveiling of the Orion spacecraft for Artemis I at NASA's Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio, on March 14, 2020.
Spectators take photos at the unveiling of the Orion spacecraft for Artemis I at NASA's Plum Brook Station in Sandusky, Ohio, on March 14, 2020.
Megan Jelinger/SOPA Images/LightRocket/Getty Images