BBC tours Orion spacecraft model ahead of Artemis II return
Artemis II Crew’s Return Scheduled for April 10
The Artemis II crew is set to descend back to Earth on April 10, carrying the Orion spacecraft. At the Johnson Space Centre in Houston, Texas, BBC conducted a tour of a detailed Orion model. During re-entry, the spacecraft’s thermal shield faces extreme heat, with temperatures reaching nearly 5,000°F (2,760°C) as it travels at 25,000 mph—about half the Sun’s surface temperature.
Communication from the Crew
Astronauts aboard Artemis II shared messages via video call, detailing their journey and offering greetings to loved ones. The mission includes critical tests, such as simulating capsule maneuvers, conducted at the Johnson Space Centre after the crew was announced in 2023. A new “universal waste management system” was also developed for the 10-day mission, dubbed the “space loo.”
On a commercial flight near the launch site, passengers witnessed the historic takeoff of NASA’s first lunar crewed mission in five decades. Science editor Rebecca Morelle observed the event from three miles away, as the most powerful rocket ever built launched from Florida. Despite delays and technical hurdles, the mission successfully entered Earth’s orbit.
Ground Coverage and Public Reactions
Outside the Supreme Court, BBC’s Ione Wells engaged with protesters and attendees during a hearing on President Trump’s executive order. Meanwhile, Leyla Khodabakhshi interacted with locals and visitors in Florida before the Artemis II launch. The average gas price in the U.S. hit $4, marking the first time since 2022, driven by ongoing tensions with Iran.
Large demonstrations against the Trump administration occurred in multiple cities, including the third “No Kings” rally. The airport faced prolonged delays due to a partial government shutdown, with TSA agents working unpaid. Conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas expressed mixed views on the current economic state.
“Meta and Google intentionally designed addictive platforms that harm young people’s mental health,” stated a Los Angeles jury in its recent ruling.