NASA displays spacecraft for trip around Moon in 'Artemis' program

NASA has given reporters a look at a spacecraft and a rocket to be used to orbit the Moon as part of the US-led international lunar exploration program, Artemis.

The Orion module and the rocket that will carry it to outer space were shown on Friday at the US space agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. They are expected to be used for a test flight around the Moon, carrying four US and Canadian astronauts. The target schedule for the mission is April next year. 

NASA said technicians began installing solar array wings on the Orion spacecraft earlier this month and have mostly completed the task. The wings will deploy after Orion reaches space, to provide power to the craft.

The height of the rocket and the spacecraft combined will reach about 100 meters. NASA Orion Program Manager said he and many who have worked on the spaceship are looking forward to the agency's first voyage to the Moon in over 50 years.