NASA announced it plans to launch four astronauts on a mission around the moon as early as April 1, marking a significant milestone in the agency's lunar exploration program.

The announcement represents the culmination of years of preparation for what would be the first crewed lunar mission in decades. The mission will send astronauts on a trajectory around the moon before returning them safely to Earth.

The April 1 date represents the earliest possible launch window for the mission, though space agencies typically maintain flexibility in their schedules to account for technical requirements and weather conditions.

This mission is part of NASA's broader efforts to return humans to lunar exploration and establish a sustainable presence near the moon. The agency has been working toward this goal through its Artemis program, which aims to eventually land astronauts on the lunar surface.

The upcoming flight will serve as a crucial test of systems and procedures before future missions that could include lunar landings. NASA has not specified the duration of the mission or provided details about the crew selection process.