Nasa’s Artemis II live: Aastronauts officially on way to Moon as they describe ‘spectacular moment’ in space – UK Times

Under a new initiative, the Artemis II mission marks the first time astronauts are allowed to take their personal smartphones beyond the Earth’s orbit.

The crew members have taken iPhones with them with the aim of documenting the mission using the smartphones cameras, without relying on bulky, government-issued cameras.

Reports suggest the devices will be put on Airplane mode by the crew to prevent interference with spacecraft systems.

From the blockbuster film Project Hail Mary i, to the ongoing Artemis II mission around the Moon, spaceflight is having a moment.

Scott Solomon, a professor of BioSciences at Rice University – the same institution where President John F. Kennedy made his famous ‘We choose to go to the Moon’ speech – reflects on this moment, and explores what might be accomplished.

Nasa has had the know-how and technology to send humans to the lunar surface for more than 50 years. So why is this the first trip to the Moon since the Apollo 17 flight in 1972?

Emily Margolis, who works at the National Air and Space Museum, has the answers.

Nasa has shared more images from the Artemis II crew, showing the Earth peeking out from one of the capsule’s window.

Nasa has created a visualisation of Orion’s live position in space, showing its 252,000 mile journey to the Moon.

Nasa shares more images of Earth taken by the Artemis II crew.

As they continue to make their way towards the Moon, the four astronauts aboard the Orion capsule have shared some stunning pictures of Earth from their unique vantage point.

Nasa shared the image to its social media feeds, with the text: “We see our home planet as a whole, lit up in spectacular blues and browns. A green aurora even lights up the atmosphere. That’s us, together, watching as our astronauts make their journey to the Moon.”

As the astronauts continue their journey towards the Moon, you can see the route they will take from this handy Nasa graphic.

After lifting off from pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Wednesday evening, the SLS rocket was jettisoned before Orion performed a high-altitude orbit of Earth.

Then began a four-day outbound transit to the Moon, 400,000 kilometres (250,000 miles) away. After swinging by the Moon, Orion will return to Earth, eventually splashing down off the west coast of America.

A communications site in Cornwall is playing a crucial role in Nasa’s Artemis II mission, tracking the Orion spacecraft on its journey to and from the Moon.

Goonhilly Earth Station has a rich history in space communication, including broadcasting the Apollo 11 Moon landing in 1969 and previously supporting Nasa’s Artemis I mission in 2022.

The UK government minister Baroness Lloyd and Nasa officials have emphasised the importance of British expertise and international collaboration in achieving ambitious space exploration goals.

You can read all about it here.