In a poignant moment captured live, the BBC's Science Editor was left in tears as NASA's Artemis II spacecraft blasted off on its groundbreaking mission to the moon. The launch marks the first crewed lunar journey since 1972, sending four astronauts on an epic 250,000-mile round trip to the far side of the moon, with a scheduled return to Earth on April 6.
Historic Launch Witnessed in Florida
The BBC's Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle, joined hundreds of spectators at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida to observe this monumental event. As the booster ignitions activated, sending massive plumes of smoke across the launch pad, an excited Morelle could be heard exclaiming 'oh my goodness' and applauding repeatedly.
The rocket then soared into the sky amid thunderous cheers from the crowd. 'Oh my goodness that is spectacular,' a visibly emotional Ms Morelle stated. 'It's not just what you see and hear as the rocket lifts off. You can feel the force of it through your body. This is the most powerful rocket that NASA has ever built.'
Crew and Mission Details
Artemis II is carrying American astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, and Christina Koch, along with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen. This mission will propel them farther into space than any humans have previously travelled, surpassing the record set by Apollo 13 in 1970.
Just four minutes into the journey, Artemis II crossed the boundary into space without any reported flight issues, offering a clear view of their lunar target. Mission commander Reid Wiseman remarked, 'We have a beautiful moonrise. We're headed right at it!'
Technical Challenges and Success
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman noted that Artemis II experienced a temporary communications problem and a 'controller issue' with the toilet onboard the Orion capsule. Despite these minor setbacks, all major systems remained operational, and the crew focused on preparing for subsequent orbital burns before the moon-bound phase.
At approximately 6 p.m. U.S. time, Wiseman declared 'Full send,' confirming the crew's readiness for launch from atop NASA's towering rocket. Artemis II launch director Charlie Blackwell-Thompson delivered an emotional message from mission control, stating the crew carried 'the heart of this Artemis team, the daring spirit of the American people and our partners across the globe, and the hopes and dreams of this generation.'
Journey Timeline and Milestones
The Artemis II crew is expected to reach the moon in three to four days, with the Orion spacecraft entering the moon's sphere of influence on day five. This critical point occurs when lunar gravity surpasses Earth's pull, guiding the spacecraft toward its destination.
Day six promises to be historic, as Artemis II conducts a lunar flyby and ventures to the dark side of the moon. Not only will the spacecraft achieve the farthest distance from Earth for a crewed mission, but NASA confirmed the astronauts will witness a lunar eclipse, where the moon blocks the sun.
Return Journey and Safety Protocols
After looping around the moon, Orion will begin its return to Earth, exiting the moon's gravitational influence. The four-day return trip will involve key safety demonstrations, including procedures to shield the crew from solar radiation and practice sessions for manually steering the spacecraft.
The mission concludes on day ten with a fiery re-entry through Earth's atmosphere, where the Orion capsule will endure temperatures nearing 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Parachutes will deploy to slow the descent before splashdown in the Pacific Ocean, ending this landmark expedition.
Future Lunar Missions
Looking ahead, NASA's Artemis III mission is scheduled for launch in 2027, aiming to land two astronauts on the lunar surface for approximately one week. This will mark the first human footsteps on the moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972, continuing humanity's exploration of space.
