From blast off to splashdown: My days following Nasa’s historic mission to the Moon
From Launch to Return: A Journey Through NASA’s Historic Moon Mission
Over the past ten days, four astronauts have etched their names into history, achieving what no human crew has done before: completing a journey to the Moon and back. As a journalist covering the Artemis II mission, I’ve witnessed every pivotal moment—from the thunderous ignition of the rocket to the serene final descent. The crew’s calm demeanor on launch day was a stark contrast to my own, as my uncontrollable enthusiasm for the event quickly became a topic of conversation.
The Thrill of Takeoff
Standing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, I was surrounded by my BBC News colleagues, Alison Francis and Kevin Church, as the countdown reached its peak. The sheer intensity of the moment was unforgettable: the blinding light, the deafening sound, and the force that seemed to push through the ground. Watching the astronauts ascend into space, I couldn’t shake the reality that four humans were now hurtling toward the Moon in a towering 98-meter rocket.
“Planet Earth, you look beautiful,” shared Victor Glover during their first glimpse of the planet from orbit. The words, delivered with a mix of awe and pride, captured the essence of their mission.
Life in Orbit
As the crew adapted to microgravity, their daily routines became a window into the challenges of space travel. Inside their capsule, space was as confined as a minibus, with limited room for privacy. The cramped conditions were evident in the live footage, where the astronauts shared every moment, from meals to work, in a tightly packed environment.
The Universal Waste Management System, a $23 million investment, faced its own set of hurdles. During a media briefing, the team discussed the system’s issues, revealing that while the astronauts had a go for “number twos,” “number ones” required collapsible urine devices—essentially, bags with funnels.
Risks and Reflections
In Houston, at the Johnson Space Center, mission control operated as the heart of the operation. Engineers and scientists monitored every system, from navigation to life support, ensuring the crew’s safety. The mission was a test flight, the first time both the rocket and spacecraft had carried humans. This meant the risks were real, and the crew was acutely aware.
Jeremy Hansen, the Canadian astronaut, shared this reality during a podcast interview while in quarantine. He confessed to discussing the possibility of not returning with his family. Reid Wiseman, reflecting on his role as a single father after his wife’s passing six years ago, opened up about conversations with his daughters about the dangers of space travel. These moments added a deeply personal layer to the mission’s challenges.
A Poignant Legacy
As the Moon grew larger in their view, the crew began to see its surface in new detail. One of the most touching gestures was naming a bright crater, visible from Earth, after Reid’s late wife, Carroll. The act brought tears to the eyes of the entire crew, and mission control in Houston was equally moved, with no one left dry.
The success of Artemis II marked a significant milestone, surpassing Apollo 13’s record for the farthest distance traveled. The astronauts documented the Moon’s stark beauty through thousands of images and audio recordings, reflecting on their journey as they completed a quarter of a million miles from Earth. The mission’s legacy is deeply tied to the spirit of Apollo, with messages from Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell—both of whom had passed away—still echoing through the crew’s efforts.