The Artemis II astronauts are now on their return journey to Earth after completing a key phase of their mission. Communication with mission control was successfully restored following a planned 40-minute blackout as the spacecraft passed behind the Moon. (PICS/ AFP, NASA)

A screengrab released by NASA on Friday shows the Artemis II crew as they embark on their historic journey to orbit the moon, the first such mission in over 50 years. (PICS/ AFP, NASA)