MON SIX

The Artemis II mission, which is the second under NASA's multibillion-dollar moon program, is a major milestone for the space agency — marking the first crewed deep-space flight in over 50 years. Artemis II crew members are expected to travel "farther from Earth than any previous human mission," according to NASA.

The expedition will send the crew about 252,000 miles into space, which may break the record set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970, when it was roughly 248,000 miles from Earth,USA TODAY previously reported.

Artemis II and it's crew of four lift off from Kennedy Space Center April 1, 2026 on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> People set cameras to photograph NASA's Artemis II lunar flyby mission, with the next-generation moon rocket, the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion crew capsule, on Pad 39B ahead of the launch of the Artemis II mission at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., March 31, 2026. The rocket is scheduled for an April 1, 2026, 6:24 p.m. launch of the 10-day mission.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The countdown clock runs as NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft sit on Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center on April 1, 2026 in Cape Canaveral, Fla.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Photographers set up remote cameras inside Pad 39B March 31, 2026 in advance of the launch of Artemis II.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> The Highland Mint in Melbourne, Fla. has minted an Artemis II collector coin.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> NASA's Artemis II Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft rest on Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., on March 31, 2026, ahead of the crewed lunar mission.

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See the moment Artemis II lifts off for historic moon mission

Artemis IIand it's crew of four lift off from Kennedy Space Center April 1, 2026 on a 10-day mission around the Moon and back. Craig Bailey, FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK

"This milestone will occur during the lunar flyby phase, when the crew travels on a free-return trajectory around the Moon, which allows the spacecraft to loop around the Moon and return to Earth without entering lunar orbit," NASA said.

While the crew will not land on the moon, NASA said the lunar flyby mission is designed to test life support systems and critical operations, paving the way for future moon landingsand Mars exploration. The mission is expected to last about 10 days, with the crew reaching the moon's vicinity around day five or six before returning to Earth for splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

Here is a timeline of the Artemis II journey:

Launch day

Four astronauts — including the first Black man, first woman, and first Canadian — lifted off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, one of the largest and most powerful rockets the agency has ever flown.

Following liftoff, the Orion crew capsule will separate from the rocket's upper stage and enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.

Toilet checks, conflict resolution:Meet Artemis II crew and their jobs

Earth orbit

During the first one to two days on the mission, the crew will be in a high Earth orbit and conduct systems checks, such as testing the Orion capsule's life-support, propulsion, navigation, and communications systems to ensure the spacecraft is ready to travel into deep space.

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Is Artemis II landing on the moon?No, but here's which mission could

Translunar injection

After the systems checks are complete, the Orion will perform its "translunar injection burn" on day two, according to the Scientific American. The translunar injection involves firing Orion's main engine, which increases the spacecraft's velocity to send it out of Earth orbit and toward the moon.

On days three to four, the crew will continue to monitor spacecraft systems as they approach the moon's vicinity. Mission controllers will track communications and navigation performance.

The Space Launch System rocket Artemis II begins its journey from the Vehicle Assembly Building to Pad 39B March 19, 2026.

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Inside NASA's Artemis mission to the moon

Moon flyby

On day five, the Orion will enter the lunar sphere of influence, "marking the point at which the pull of the Moon's gravity will become stronger than the pull of the Earth's gravity," according to NASA.

"As they enter the Moon's neighborhood, the crew will have a full day, with the morning almost entirely devoted to tests of their spacesuits," the agency said. "As the first astronauts to wear the new suits in space, the Artemis II crew will be testing their ability to quickly put the suits on and pressurize them; install their seats and get into them while wearing the suits; eat and drink through a port on the spacesuits' helmet; and other functions."

On day six, the crew will come their closest to the Moon and reach the greatest distance from Earth during this phase, according to NASA.

250,000 miles from Earth?Mind-boggling facts about Artemis II.

Return to Earth and splashdown

After the lunar flyby, the crew will spend several days heading back to Earth while continuing to conduct deep-space tests, including evaluations of power systems, thermal controls, and crew operations far beyond low Earth orbit.

As the Orion approaches Earth, it will separate key components before plunging into the atmosphere at speeds of about 25,000 miles per hour. One of the mission's primary objectives is to test the capsule's heat shield during re-entry, which had partially cracked and charred away during the Artemis I mission in 2022,reported Florida Today, part of the USA TODAY Network.

The spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, where recovery teams will retrieve the crew.

Contributing: Doyle Rice, USA TODAY; Reuters

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:When will Artemis II reach the moon? Timeline of NASA mission

Here are some ‌reactions.

U.S. PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP IN ADDRESS TO NATION:

"Let me begin by congratulating the team at NASA and our brave astronauts on the ​successful launch of Artemis II. It was quite something.

"It will be travelling further than any manned rocket has ever flown and will very substantially pass the moon, go around it and come back home from a distance that has never been done before.

"It's amazing. They are on their way and god bless them, these are brave people. ‌God bless those four unbelievable astronauts."

NASA ADMINISTRATOR ⁠JARED ISAACMAN AT PRESS CONFERENCE:

"So after a brief 54-year intermission, NASA is back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon.

"We arrived at this point through a ⁠sustained effort, a national commitment, and the work of thousands across the agency, our industry partners and our international allies."

CANADIAN PRIME MINISTER MARK CARNEY IN A STATEMENT:

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"Today, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Colonel Jeremy Hansen makes history as the first ​Canadian ​to venture to the Moon.

"With Artemis II, Canada becomes only ​the second nation on Earth to send ‌an astronaut on a lunar mission.

"This remarkable achievement is a testament to Colonel Hansen's exceptional skill, and to the decades of discipline, dedication, and perseverance that brought him to this moment.

"It is also a testament to Canada and our world-class science, our cutting-edge technology, and our remarkable astronauts."

FRENCH PRESIDENT EMMANUEL MACRON ON X:

"With Artemis II, more than fifty years after Apollo 17, the Moon once again becomes that gathering place for peoples who ‌pool their resources and dare to dream.

"French, Europeans, we can ​be proud to take part in this extraordinary adventure by playing ​a key role thanks to the European service ​module developed by the European Space Agency."

RETIRED ASTRONAUT AND FORMER NASA ADMINISTRATOR CHARLIE BOLDEN ‌TO REUTERS:

"It was incredible to see. I'm ​an emotional person, just tears ​of joy, thinking about all the people that have been working to this day for more than a decade just to get here. Very proud.

"I hope that in the morning when I wake ​up and I watch all the ‌news coverage, no matter what country it's coming from, people will be saying, 'We are on our ​way back to the moon.' We are on our way back to the moon."

(Compiled by ​Jamie Freed; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Clarence Fernandez)

Also, ourRohan Nadkarnirecently had a wide-ranging interview withBam Adebayo, the Miami Heat center who scored 83 points in a single game last month. In today's newsletter: an excerpt from that conversation, on one of the greatest playoff moments in Heat history.

CheckNBC Newstomorrow for a full story on Adebayo, and keep coming back for continued coverage leading up to this summer's World Cup.

The Field is Set

You didn't have to be a soccer fan to appreciate the drama that played out yesterday across six matches — the final qualifying matches for the World Cup — stretching from Kosovo to Guadalajara, Mexico. There were penalty kicks, extra-time goals and a red card — and 12 hours after the day's qualifiers started, the field for thissummer's World Cupwas finally set.

That means that nearly four months after the 48-team field was drawn into four-team groups, the U.S. men at last know their third and final group stage opponent.

With a 1-0 win over Kosovo, Turkey qualified for Group D, where it will face the U.S. on June 25 in Inglewood, California. That will follow U.S. matches on June 12 against Paraguay, also in Inglewood, and June 19 against Australia in Seattle. One analysis of yesterday's result is that the group stage games just got harder for the U.S.: In FIFA's world rankings, Turkey is 22nd, while Kosovo, Team USA's other prospective opponent, is 78th.

This will be Turkey's first World Cup appearance since 2002, and it wasn't the only nation yesterday to end a long tournament drought. The Democratic Republic of Congo made itsfirst World Cup since 1974after its 100th-minute goal beat Jamaica in extra time.

In Prague, Denmark scored a game-tying goal in the 111th minute — only for Czechia to ultimately win on penalty kicks to book its first World Cup appearance since 2006. Sweden, which missed out on the 2022 tournament, snuck past Poland after a goal in the 88th minute.

Iraq grabbed the final qualifying spot to advance to its first World Cup since 1986 by beating Bolivia, 2-1, in the day's final game.

In perhaps the biggest shocker, Bosnia and Herzegovinaoutlasted Italy on penalty kicksto return to the World Cup for the first time since 2014. A proud soccer nation with four World Cup titles in its history, Italy will miss a third consecutive World Cup. Italy was down a player for the entire second half after earning a costly red card.

"We still don't believe it," the Italian defenderLeonardo Spinazzolasaid, according to The Associated Press.

Bam's Block

The Miami Heat take on the Boston Celtics tonight, the latest chapter in an ongoing Eastern Conference rivalry. We recently spoke with Heat centerBam Adebayoabout one of the great plays from the team's postseason battles: Adebayo's game-clinching block againstJayson Tatumin overtime of Game 1 of the 2020 Eastern Conference finals.

"I could have, for sure, been on the other end of the highlight," Adebayo told NBC News. "That moment happened so fast, but also like it was in slow motion at the same time."

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The Heat were leading 116-114 with 12 seconds left when Tatum received the ball at the top of the key. After eventually driving byJimmy Butler, Tatum went up for a dunk, only to be met with a denial by Adebayo above the rim. Miami won the game and eventually the series, advancing to the NBA Finals.

"I remember — it was so quiet in there, because it's the bubble — it sounded like the basketball popped. And I remember like, 'Damn. What just happened?' I remember my hands tingling. But also when it happened, I was just so worried about getting the ball that I didn't realize what happened. By the time I blocked it, I'm looking to grab the ball, and then I just see my teammates on the sideline going crazy, and I was like, 'Dang, I really blocked that at the rim.'"

Heat coachErik Spoelstrarecalled: "I said 'Oh, s---!' in the moment of it, and it was oh, s--- because Tatum had a wide-open angle to the rim, and that's unlike us. And then the double oh, s--- when Bam made the play."

For more on Adebayo's defensive greatness, be sure to come back toNBC News tomorrow.

What We're Reading

Iran "will be at the World Cup," FIFA PresidentGianni Infantinosaid.

Changes are coming to the NFL schedule for next year, includingdropping "Monday Night Football"doubleheaders.

Tiger Woodssayshe'll seek treatmentafter his DUI arrest.

NFL CommissionerRoger Goodellsays the league has noplans to ditch the Rooney Ruledespite pressure from the Florida attorney general.

Robin DeLorenzo, one of the first three female NFL officials,filed suit against the leagueover her treatment and firing.

LeBron JamespassedKareem Abdul-Jabbarformost wins in NBA historywith the Lakers' victory over his former team, the Cavaliers.

Mariners prospectColt Emersoninked a $95 million contract— before he's even played a game.

MLB umpireC.B. Bucknoris under more heat aftermissing a call at first baseand not even looking at the play when making the call.

What We're Watching

Barring another team's collapse,Bam Adebayoand the Miami Heat appear headed toward the NBA play-in tournament. They'll try to improve their standing tonight against the rival Boston Celtics.

Also,Victor Wembanyamaand the San Antonio Spurs continue their chase for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference tonight against the Golden State Warriors.

All times are Eastern:

• 7:30 p.m.: Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat, on ESPN

• 9 p.m.: Anaheim Ducks vs. San Jose Sharks, on HBO Max

• 10 p.m.: San Antonio Spurs vs. Golden State Warriors, on ESPN

That's it for now! We'll be back tomorrow.

The NBA had set a midnight deadline of Wednesday, April 1 for prospective investors to submit non-binding bids for consideration into the league's proposed NBA Europe expansion. According to a person with direct knowledge of the matter, north of 120 investment groups expressed interest in teams for the proposed league, with multiple bids even surpassing $1 billion. The league had set a loose threshold for entry at around $500 million; according to the person, many of the bid proposals fell within that $500 million to $1 billion range.

The proposed bids essentially act similarly to licensing fees that represent a buy-in into the league.

The non-binding bids came from wealthy individuals, investment firms and even existing teams in the EuroLeague, which is the legacy league that NBA Europe would be looking to compete against, if not replace altogether.

The person spoke under the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to comment publicly on the matter.

Oct. 26: The Brooklyn Nets' Michael Porter Jr. dunks in front of the San Antonio Spurs' Victor Wembanyama at Frost Bank Center.

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Dribble into this collection of dunk photos as NBA stars posterize opponents

"We have received significant interest from a range of prospective teams and investors for permanent franchise spots in a new league in Europe backed by the NBA and FIBA," NBA deputy commissioner Mark Tatum said Wednesday in a statement emailed to USA TODAY Sports. "The level of engagement and the scale of the bids reflect the marketplace's belief in our proposed model and the enormous, untapped potential for European basketball. We will now review the bids in more detail and shortlist the partners who share our vision and commitment to accelerating the growth of the game across the continent."

There are 12 cities across Europe that the NBA and FIBA, its partner in the venture, are targeting for the new league. The cities are among the biggest in Europe and include Rome, Paris, Barcelona, London and Athens.

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Now, the NBA will present the most attractive bids to the Board of Governors for approval.

The NBA held a Board of Governors session March 24 and 25, during which the expansion into Europe was discussed. Tatum, who also operates as the NBA's chief operating officer, updated ownership on the progress of NBA Europe, though no measures were put up for a vote.

The NBA and FIBA are planning to structure the new league with 14 to 16 teams, with 10 to 12 of those being permanent fixtures and the others being open slots based on performance in FIBA leagues.

One key hurdle will be the NBA's ongoing discussions with EuroLeague leadership over the stakes and control of the proposed NBA Europe league. At last week's Board of Governors meeting, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said he sensed that EuroLeague was willing to engage in discussions with the objective of getting a deal done.

"I think for the betterment of European basketball, the best outcome would be if we came together with the EuroLeague here and that we came up with a systematic approach to growing the game throughout Europe," Silver said Wednesday, March 25. "That means complementing the country leagues, working together with the EuroLeague and working together with our federation, FIBA."

Chus Bueno, who was recently appointed as the EuroLeague's CEO, has a friendly relationship with Silver from the time when Bueno worked in the NBA league office.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:NBA Europe deadline garners huge interest, proposals up to $1 billion