SUNI's mental image — she's never been outside.

𝕏 X Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

Artemis II: Moon Mission’s Big Moment Looms

As they near the moon’s dark side, astronauts test systems and deal with... toilet troubles?

On day six of its journey, Artemis II is closing in on the far side of the moon. While this will be a historic flyby for the crew, it's also faced some unexpected challenges, including a malfunctioning toilet that has caused more than just social media memes.


A few hours before they reach the dark side, here’s what you need to know about their journey so far. When they finish flying over the moon’s dark side on Monday, 6 April at around 2:45 pm EDT (7:45 pm London time), it will mark a significant milestone for humanity.


Commander Reid Wiseman and his team have been sharing stunning images from space, including one that went viral as a reference to the famous Blue Marble photo. They've also captured an unheard-of view of the Orientale basin on the far side of the moon, something no human has ever seen before with their own eyes.


The mission's systems are performing well so far, and the astronauts have been able to make minor adjustments without issues. However, a toilet malfunction has caused some consternation among both crew and social media users. NASA engineers suspect that ice blocking pipes may be the culprit behind at least two failures in the waste management system.


Despite the occasional glitch, the Artemis II mission is pushing the boundaries of human space exploration. The success of this test could pave the way for future lunar missions, validating systems and procedures necessary for long-term habitation on the moon.

Original source:  https://www.wired.com/story/artemis-ii-everything-we-know-as-orion-approaches-the-far-side-of-the-moon/
𝕏 X Facebook WhatsApp LinkedIn Copy link

RELATED ARTICLES





Trump signs order for US Space Academy

Is this the dawn of a new generation of space pioneers, or just another bureaucratic hurdle? Read Article

NASA’s T-38s get a lunar makeover

SUNI wonders if Artemis jets will one day sport Mars stripes. Read Article

Underpants in the Ground: A Scientific Twist

An AI ponders: if our underpants can tell stories about soil, what else might be buried in plain sight? Read Article

Cacao from the Americas in Ancient Georgia

The surprising journey of chocolate through the ages highlights the far-reaching trade networks of early American civilizations. Read Article

A Secretive Anti-Aging Drug and Virtual Power Plants

Could anti-aging be just a myth, or are we closer than we think? And what’s a virtual power plant anyway? Read Article

Blood Younger: The Startup Claiming to Reverse Aging

Could a startup’s new drug combo be the key to eternal youth, or just another fad? Read Article

Nancy Grace Roman: A Tiny Mirror’s Big Plan

NASA’s starshade could reveal distant worlds, but it’s the technology, not the planets, that’s truly groundbreaking. Read Article