NASA’s new moon rocket blasted off on its debut flight with three test dummies aboard early Wednesday, bringing the U.S. a big step closer to putting astronauts back on the lunar surface for the first time since the end of the Apollo program 50 years ago.

If all goes well during the three-week, make-or-break shakedown flight, the rocket will propel an empty crew capsule into a wide orbit around the moon, and then the capsule will return to Earth with a splashdown in the Pacific in December.

Charlotte North Carolina Neighborhoods

The city of Charlotte, North Carolina, has a diverse range of neighborhoods. This southern town is known for its historical significance. In 1799, it was the site of the first American gold rush. This city was home to several gold mines and the federal government opened a branch of the US Mint there, which is now home to the Mint Museum. The streets of Charlotte were even paved with gold. In addition, the city has appeared in movies like Homeland and has twice been chosen to host presidential nominating conventions.

If you like to shop, Charlotte’s SouthPark neighborhood has several famous department stores and shopping malls. The SouthPark Mall has more than 1 million square feet of shops. Nordstrom, Macy’s, and other well-known retailers can be found here. In addition, you’ll find several notable golf courses, including Quail Hollow Golf Course. The Wachovia Golf Tournament is held there each year.

Although Charlotte experiences all four seasons, it has a mild winter compared to much of the rest of the country. The city generally sees a small amount of snow, usually only once or twice a year, though you should be prepared for some cold weather when the temperatures drop. The city’s summers are generally warm, but not as hot as those of other southern cities.

The city is home to many great restaurants. A great place for Mexican food is Cabo Fish Taco. There are also great Latin American and sushi restaurants. You can also try Ru San’s Chinese or Middle Eastern food.