‘Something we have never seen before’: Artemis II crew describe far side of Moon
Artemis II Crew’s First Glimpse of the Moon’s Far Side
Nasa’s Artemis II mission has given its crew a rare opportunity to observe the Moon’s far side for the first time. The astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency representative Jeremy Hansen—have been orbiting the Moon for three days aboard the Orion spacecraft. Koch remarked,
“Something about you senses that is not the Moon that I’m used to seeing.”
Distance from Earth
At 23:00 BST on Saturday, the NASA online dashboard displayed that the Artemis II vessel was over 180,000 miles (28,968 km) away from Earth. This marks a critical milestone in the mission, as the crew prepares to return to their home planet.
Other News Across the US
Meanwhile, the annual Great Marshmallow Drop event saw more than 15,000 fluffy treats released from a helicopter as children scrambled to collect them. In separate developments, a former prosecutor who had defended President Trump in a hush-money case is now linked to the legal battles surrounding his policies.
Supreme Court and Public Opinion
The BBC’s Ione Wells engaged with protesters and attendees outside the Supreme Court during a hearing on Trump’s executive order. At the same time, conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas expressed mixed views on the current economic climate.
Gas Prices and Political Support
US gas prices have surpassed $4 for the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions in the Iran war. Despite financial strain, a farmer in Alabama continued to back Trump, according to the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue.
Art and Protests
A public art installation titled “A Throne Fit for a King” was placed at the National Mall, critiquing Trump’s White House renovations. Large demonstrations against his administration occurred in multiple US cities, including the third No Kings rally.
Airport Challenges
New York City’s airport is dealing with prolonged delays amid a partial government shutdown, as TSA agents operate without pay. The wreckage of a plane crash blocked access to one of two runways, disrupting air traffic. A video captured the aftermath of a collision between a passenger jet and a firefighting vehicle, with no injuries reported by Valero, a refinery operator.
Rescue and Recovery
The yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie was unharmed in the incident and was later found back in her yard. BBC Verify detailed the moments leading to the deadly crash involving a fire truck, while Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to assist TSA during the shutdown.
Political and Social Impact
Reactions to a Los Angeles jury ruling, which found Meta and Google intentionally designed addictive platforms harming youth mental health, have emerged. In a separate update, Savannah Guthrie recounted her experience after her mother’s disappearance, suggesting her fame might have contributed to the risk.
Events and Symbolism
During a White House appearance, the First Lady Melania Trump was joined by a robot. Trump is set to host a summit focused on AI, education, and safeguarding children in digital environments.
