Astronomer's are over the Moon with excitement, as NASA's first crewed lunar mission in 50 years - only hours away from take off.

The launch window for Artemis II [two] begins at around midday New Zealand time. 

It'll last about 10 days - with four astronauts circling the Moon - taking them further into space than ever before.

Astrobiology Network Executive Director Haritina Mogoșanu told Ryan Bridge NASA isn't in a rush to land on the Moon like it was with the Apollo missions.

She says the last moon landing was a military operation and during a space race.