NASA scheduled to launch rocket to orbit moon tonight with Grand Rapids native on board

KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – It’s been over 50 years since American astronauts traveled to the moon.

That will change this evening when four astronauts will head to the moon aboard Artemis II, according to Western Michigan University anthropology professor Deana Weibel.

Weibel says one of the astronauts, Christina Koch, is a native of Grand Rapids.

Koch has interviewed a couple of Apollo astronauts who have traveled to the moon.

She holds the record for the longest spaceflight by a woman and says the mission means a lot for the future of space travel.

The last Apollo mission to the moon by NASA was launched December 19th, 1972.