Gina

And what could it mean for NASA's long-term moon plans?

To answer those questions, we're checking in with NPR science correspondent Nell Greenfield-Boyce, who's at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida right now.

Hey, Nell.

Hey there, Gina.

It is so cool that you're there for the launch.

I'm very jealous.

So where are you right now?

Like, can you see the rocket that's going to blast off?

the earliest this mission can launch is today, Wednesday the 1st, and this is the start of the launch window, right?

Today on the show, humans returning to the moon, well, around the moon anyway, and traveling the furthest we as a species have ever gone into space.

We'll be answering why people are returning to the moon and what it means for the future of living on other worlds.

I'm Regina Barber, and you're listening to Shortwave, the science podcast from NPR.

OK, now, so can you explain what these astronauts will be doing once they're in space?

Because it's not a sure thing that they're going to the moon, right?

Right.

Oh, like detaching and coming back in.

Oh.

So when will they decide whether or not to head out to the moon?

Wow.

Okay.