The world stood still – then exploded with awe – as NASA’s Artemis II mission lifted off in a blaze of orange fire and white smoke, marking humanity’s grand return to lunar exploration. If you missed the live broadcast, don’t despair: we’ve gathered the most spectacular photos and electrifying video footage that capture every heart-stopping second of this historic launch. From the slow-motion crawl of the rocket clearing the tower to the distant shot of the spacecraft piercing a cloud layer as if tearing through the veil of Earth itself, these images are nothing short of iconic. Photographers positioned at every angle – from launchpad periscopes to drone-mounted cameras miles away – have delivered a visual feast that will be studied and admired for generations. Let’s start with the launch sequence: a sequence of images that shows the boosters igniting, the flame trench roaring to life, and the sheer shockwave rippling through the air. One particularly viral photo captures the faces of the astronauts’ families watching from the VIP stands – tears, cheers, and white-knuckled hands gripping each other. Another breathtaking shot, taken by a high-altitude aircraft, shows the rocket’s trail arcing across a pastel sunrise, a thin line of fire connecting Earth to the heavens. And the video? Oh, the video is pure cinema. High-definition footage from onboard cameras gives you a first-person view of the booster separation, the sudden silence as the craft exits the atmosphere, and the first glimpse of the curvature of our planet – a blue marble floating in infinite blackness. Beyond the launch itself, the mission’s ongoing journey is being documented with intimate photography from inside the Orion capsule. Astronauts floating weightless, Earth looming through the windows, and the careful choreography of checklists and controls – all captured in crisp, emotional detail. As the mission progresses, we’ll continue to update this gallery with fresh visuals from the lunar flyby and beyond. Whether you’re a space enthusiast, a history buff, or just someone who loves a good story of courage and discovery, these photos and videos will leave you breathless. Don’t just read about Artemis II – see it, feel it, and relive the moment when humanity once again reached for the Moon.