From blast off to splashdown: My days following Nasa’s historic mission to the Moon

From blast off to splashdown: My days following NASA’s historic mission to the Moon

Over the past 10 days, I’ve chronicled each phase of NASA’s Artemis II mission, a journey that pushed human limits further than ever before. The crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—traveled to the Moon and back, marking a pivotal moment in space exploration. As the mission unfolded, the blend of technical precision and personal emotion became a central theme.

The Launch Experience

Standing at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, I witnessed the launch alongside BBC News science team members Alison Francis and Kevin Church. The sheer power of the rocket’s ignition was overwhelming, a mix of blinding light, thunderous noise, and a physical force that seemed to shake the very air. Despite the crew’s calm demeanor, my own exhilaration spilled over, capturing global attention as the event trended online.

As the spacecraft ascended, the astronauts’ focus on the mission was palpable. Yet, the tension of their journey was underscored by the challenges they faced in the confined space of their capsule. The spacecraft, roughly the size of a minibus, became a microcosm of human ingenuity and endurance, with every detail—from eating to sleeping—requiring adaptation.

A Test of Human Resilience

At the Johnson Space Center in Houston, mission control became the heartbeat of the mission, tracking systems ranging from navigation to life support. This was no ordinary flight; it was a critical test of both technology and human spirit. The risks were real, and the astronauts’ awareness of them was evident in their candid conversations during a media briefing.

Jeremy Hansen, in particular, shared his fears with me during the 13-minute Artemis II podcast. He spoke of his family, imagining the possibility of not returning from the mission. Reid Wiseman, a single father who had lost his wife six years prior, revealed how his daughters had grappled with the reality of space travel. These moments humanized the mission, highlighting the personal stakes behind the scientific achievements.

Personal Touches in the Void

As the crew neared the Moon, a poignant gesture emerged. They named a crater—a bright lunar feature visible from Earth—after Reid’s late wife, Carroll. The act symbolized both remembrance and the emotional weight of the journey. In the capsule, the astronauts embraced their commander, their voices trembling with gratitude and grief, a moment that resonated deeply with mission control in Houston.

Meanwhile, the spacecraft’s Universal Waste Management System, a $23 million investment, proved tricky. During a press conference, the team discussed its plumbing issues, revealing how it impacted the astronauts’ daily lives. The deployment of collapsible urine devices for “number ones” and the reliance on “number twos” became a lighthearted yet telling detail of their experience.

A Legacy of Courage and Innovation

The mission’s success was a triumph, surpassing Apollo 13’s record for the furthest distance traveled by humans. The crew captured thousands of images and documented the lunar surface’s stark beauty, their observations a bridge between past and future. NASA’s team, from its leader Jared Isaacman to engineers and scientists, poured their dedication into ensuring the astronauts’ safety and progress.

As the spacecraft splashed down, the legacy of Apollo lingered. Messages from Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell, recorded before Lovell’s passing, served as reminders of the pioneers who paved the way. The Artemis II crew, in their own right, carried that torch forward, proving that space exploration is as much about human connection as it is about scientific discovery.