Topic
NASA's program to return astronauts to the Moon, encompassing crewed test flights, lunar landings, a planned surface base, and related science goals.
NASA released a preliminary Artemis II lunar science report built from the four-person crew's photos, spoken notes and drawings. Researchers can now test whether those observations hold science that instruments alone would have missed.
Reality
NASA has released the full Artemis II lunar science dataset, including five faint impact flashes the crew marked by hand on a tablet image. Scientists outside the mission can now examine those sightings, though without a stated watch time they cannot yet give an impact rate.
Perspective Coverage
3 publishersReality
SpaceX put Starship into orbit on its first orbital flight even after one of the upper stage's six Raptor engines shut down early. It sets up the orbital refuelling tests NASA's 2028 moon landing depends on, though those tests and an upper-stage catch are still ahead.
Reality
Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover moved to emeritus advisory roles at NASA to help teams prepare Artemis III for 2027. Their Orion experience will now reach that Earth-orbit docking test through volunteer mentoring.
Reality
The Artemis II crew flew 252,756 miles from Earth, farther than anyone before them. The medals presented in Houston close the mission out institutionally, while its successor is scheduled to stay in low Earth orbit.
Reality
Engineers have published spacing and holding strategies for spacecraft waiting their turn at lunar Gateway, well ahead of the landers and cargo craft that will have to fly them.
Reality