NASA is set to launch its 'CAPSTONE' spacecraft this morning

NASA is finally set to launch its'CAPSTONE' spacecraft mission on Tuesday morning, marking an important early stage in its Artemis programme. The spacecraft, which is about the size of a microwave oven and weighs just 55 pounds, will blast off from Māhia Peninsula, New Zealand at 5:55 EDT (10:55 BST). Over six months, it will test the stability of a halo-shaped orbit around the moon before this orbit is used by Lunar Gateway, NASA's planned lunar outpost. Lunar Gateway will serve as a'staging area' for landing humans on the moon for the first time in 50 years and potentially as a jumping-off point for missions to Mars. The public can watch today's CAPSTONE launch from New Zealand on NASA Live.