Moon in the news: Artemis II flyby and Moon-base planning shift space policy and headlines. The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite; it orbits ~384k km away.
NASA is preparing to launch Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission since 1972, targeting April 1, 2026. The mission will send four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—on a nearly 10-day flight orbiting the Moon without landing. The launch follows delays caused by hydrogen leaks and helium line clogs. Meanwhile, NASA is overhauling its lunar program, focusing on a surface base and nuclear propulsion demonstrations by 2028.
On April 6, 2026, NASA's Artemis II mission flew four astronauts—three Americans and one Canadian—around the Moon, reaching within 4,067 miles of its surface. The crew captured high-resolution images, including Earthrise and a total solar eclipse, transmitted back to Earth via an optical link. The mission tests Orion spacecraft systems ahead of planned lunar landings and aims to establish a sustainable Moon presence.
The Artemis II mission experienced issues with its space toilet, the Universal Waste Management System, shortly after launch. The crew repaired the system remotely, and the spacecraft surpassed the previous distance record from Earth. The mission highlights ongoing challenges in deep space hygiene technology.
NASA's Artemis II crewed mission has launched from Florida, marking the first crewed lunar flyby since 1972. The four astronauts will travel over 400,000 km, setting distance records and testing systems for future Moon and Mars missions. The mission aims to pave the way for a lunar landing in 2028.
NASA's Artemis II mission, costing $4 billion, aims to orbit the moon with a crew of four, marking the first crewed lunar mission since 1972. The mission is part of a broader plan to establish a lunar base by the 2030s and compete with China for lunar dominance.
NASA launched Artemis II, sending four astronauts on a historic mission around the Moon. The event highlights ongoing space exploration efforts amid global divisions and questions about public interest, with viewership lower than historic missions. The story reflects broader themes of international cooperation and national ambition.
NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully returned after sending four astronauts farther into space than any humans have traveled since 1972. The Orion capsule Integrity has splashed down off Southern California on April 11, completing a 10-day journey around the moon. The mission has tested critical systems for future lunar landings planned for 2028 and marked historic firsts for crew diversity.
The Artemis II crew has completed a 10-day mission, traveling further from Earth than any humans have before. They have safely splashed down off California, with their Orion capsule enduring extreme reentry temperatures. The mission confirms the spacecraft's systems and paves the way for future lunar landings.
The Artemis II crew has completed a nearly 10-day lunar flyby, breaking Apollo 13's distance record and returning safely to Earth on April 10, 2026. The mission has tested NASA's Orion spacecraft, provided critical data for Artemis III's planned moon landing in 2027, and energized plans for a sustainable lunar base. The astronauts have shared their experiences and undergone medical checks at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
The Artemis II crew has returned to Earth after a record-breaking lunar flyby, and NASA is pivoting to surface-based lunar exploration. Axiom Space and Northrop Grumman acknowledge corrosion issues in habitat modules, while agencies push toward a 2028 lunar landing and a 2030 Moon base timeline, despite ongoing technical hurdles.
Earth Day marks six decades of environmental effort, with a global movement highlighting activism, policy gains, and individual action. This year's theme, Our Power, Our Planet, emphasizes small, everyday steps alongside landmark rulings and campaigns that protect ecosystems and curb pollution.
NASA is reorganizing its mission directorates to speed Artemis, advance Moon activity, and prepare field centers for new funding and autonomy. The plan consolidates operations, aims to streamline decision-making, and preserves core science and support functions during a shifting space program.
SpaceX has floated on Nasdaq under the ticker SPCX, raising about $75 billion at $135 a share and debuting with a market value above $2 trillion. The newly public group combines SpaceX's rocket and Starlink businesses with xAI and X. Analysts warn the valuation depends on unproven projects such as orbital data centres and Mars ambitions.
SpaceX has filed to sell 555.6 million shares at $135 each, aiming to raise about $75 billion and value the company near $1.75–1.77 trillion. Elon Musk will retain roughly 82% voting control. The company has allocated unusually large tranches to retail buyers, employees and direct-share participants, and disclosed AI compute deals that affect revenue assumptions.
NASA has named Randy Bresnik, Luca Parmitano, Frank Rubio and Andre Douglas as the Artemis III crew for a mid‑2027, two‑week orbital test flight to practice docking with prototype lunar landers from Blue Origin and SpaceX. The all‑male selection has prompted online criticism and questions about whether Blue Origin’s recent New Glenn explosion will delay the program.
AP News reports the SpaceX IPO could raise around $75 billion, financing aggressive expansion into spaceflight, lunar bases, and Mars colonization. The prospectus frames SpaceX as pursuing an interplanetary future, with Musk aiming to become the world’s first trillionaire if the plan succeeds. Separately, a wildlife land swap linked to SpaceX perches on the U.S.-Mexico border amid opposition and litigation.
The New World screwworm has re-emerged in the U.S., with cases detected in Texas and New Mexico, triggering cross-border restrictions and a major USDA response. Authorities are deploying sterile flies to suppress the pest while preparing additional facilities, amid high beef prices and a fragile cattle herd.