From blast off to splashdown: My days following Nasa’s historic mission to the Moon
From liftoff to splashdown: My experience tracking NASA’s historic lunar mission
Over the past ten days, four astronauts have etched their names into history by traveling farther into space than any humans before them. The Artemis II mission, which took them to the Moon and back, has been a focal point of my coverage as a BBC News science correspondent. Before the launch, the crew had shared that astronauts are typically the most composed individuals on site, yet my own nerves were uncontainable. As the rocket ignited its powerful engines and ascended into the sky, my reaction captured global attention.
Standing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, alongside colleagues Alison Francis and Kevin Church, I felt the raw intensity of the moment. The dazzling white light of the flame, the thunderous sound that engulfed us, and the physical force of the blast were unforgettable. What struck me most was the sheer reality of four human beings suspended in the belly of a 98-meter-tall rocket, hurtling toward the Moon. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen gazed at Earth from their vantage point, and Glover’s words echoed through the air:
“Planet Earth, you look beautiful.”
As the spacecraft entered lunar orbit, the astronauts began their journey of over 250,000 miles. Their capsule, no larger than a minibus, became a microcosm of space life. Every task—eating, sleeping, and working—was done in close quarters, with little privacy from one another or the millions watching their progress. The crew’s Universal Waste Management System, or “loo,” became a topic of fascination. Designed at a cost of $23 million, its plumbing posed challenges, and during a media briefing, the astronauts revealed the details of their bathroom routines. While “number twos” were handled with ease, “number ones” required the use of collapsible urine collection devices—essentially bags with funnels.
Back in Houston, the mission control team at Johnson Space Center remained vigilant, monitoring every system from navigation to life support. Their dedication was evident in the way they focused on the data streams, ensuring the astronauts’ safety throughout the mission. The emotional weight of the flight was palpable, especially during a poignant moment when the crew honored Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, by naming a lunar crater after her. As they embraced their commander, tears streamed down their faces, and the mission control room was equally moved, with no one dry-eyed.
Despite the risks, the crew’s success was undeniable. They surpassed Apollo 13’s record for the farthest distance traveled by humans, demonstrating the enduring legacy of the Apollo era. The mission’s achievements were underscored by messages from Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell, whose insights—recorded before Lovell’s passing last year—added a personal touch to the historic endeavor.
