A NASA rocket carrying four astronauts lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, marking the start of a historic mission toward the Moon.

The Space Launch System sent the crew aboard the Orion spacecraft on a journey that will take them beyond the Moon before returning to Earth.

Footage shows the rocket on the launch pad, final countdown moments and the powerful liftoff witnessed by spectators.

The mission is the first crewed lunar flight in over five decades and forms part of NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to return humans to the Moon in the coming years.

The crew includes astronauts from the United States and Canada, reflecting international cooperation in the programme.