NASA's Artemis 2 moon mission set to launch after 50 years

TITUSVILLE, Fla. (WINK)—NASA's first moon mission in more than 50 years is set to launch in just hours.

Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to watch the Artemis 2 launch. Many are already camping and claiming their spots along the Space Coast.

For communities around Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach and Titusville, that means roads are filling with cars, hotels are filling with people and restaurants are getting crowded. The excitement is building as the countdown continues.

"I heard there's over 400,000 people coming here," said Savannah Sheely, a space enthusiast. "So this is kind of new to me."

At the Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach, a steady stream of tourists shopped for souvenirs while waiting for liftoff. Families traveled from across the country to witness the historic moment.

"I want to bring my daughter," said Alex Mathers, a father visiting from out of state. "She's an engineering student at the University of Washington, and this is a big experience for her and hopes so she understands where the rubber meets the road for engineering."

His daughter, Reese Mathers, shared her excitement about the trip.

"I've always wanted to go to a rocket launch with him, and I finally let me go," Reese Mathers said. "I'm also here for my birthday, so I'd like to say they're launching the rocket for me."

At the Florida Key Lime Pie Company, business is sweet with spring breakers and space enthusiasts. Owner Louie Morehead says his key lime pie is the best in the world, but he is aiming higher.

"I want to work with SpaceX to take our pie and put it on one of their rockets," Morehead said. "Send it to the International Space Station, which would make our pie out of this world."

Besides ice cream and pie, Morehead also talks with tourists about Space Coast history, who are helping drive Florida's economy. Peter Cranis with Space Coast Tourism says NASA's new moon shot is the boost Florida's economy can gravitate toward.

"We are now launching 100 rockets a year, a couple of launches a week, but Artemis is special," Cranis said. "You have a crewed launch going back to the moon. It's historic. I think it raises the level of interest even more."

WINK News anchor Russ McCaskey is in Titusville covering the preparations for the launch. Engineers, scientists and astronauts are preparing for what NASA has been working toward for a long time.