Nasa's Artemis II has blasted off and is now orbiting Earth, before continuing on to circle the Moon.
Nasa's Artemis II spacecraft has launched and is now orbiting Earth, where it will then head on to circle the Moon as part of a 10-day mission.
The crew onboard are "safe, secure and in great spirits", according to a Nasa official.
Rebecca Morelle, the BBC's science editor, was in Florida to watch the "spectacular" blast off.
Jeremy Hansen received a call from the prime minister as Canada's first astronaut to travel into deep space as part of the Artemis II mission.
Global temperatures and rain patterns are affected by a climate phenomenon known as El Niño/La Niña.
The site is home to three breeding pairs and has welcomed 26 chicks since 2007.