| |   Happy Thursday, space fans! Today is a huge day for Artemis 2. The astronauts are in orbit and today's make-or-break engine burn will decide whether they head to the moon or stay closer to home! Read more about the critical maneuver below
But that's not all! In today's issue, we've got a look at an unexpected toilet hiccup aboard Orion, a stunning gallery of the best Artemis 2 launch photos, a full moon photo roundup and everything you need to know about The Mandalorian & Grogu. | | |  | Artemis 2: NASA's next moonshot | | Even on a historic journey to the moon, some problems are a little more... down to Earth. Shortly after launch NASA's Artemis 2 crew ran into an issue with Orion's space toilet. The glitch briefly affected part of the toilet's urine collection system, but engineers worked with the crew to resolve the issue... phew! | | | NASA's Artemis 2 mission roared into space on April 1 in a spectacular launch that lit up the Florida sky, marking a new era of human exploration.
From the fiery blastoff to crowds gathered across the Space Coast, these stunning images capture the scale and emotion of this historic moment. | | | As Artemis 2 heads toward its next major milestone, the moon itself has been putting on a show. April's full 'Pink Moon' lit up skies around the world and photographers were ready to capture the moment. From glowing city skylines to iconic landmarks, these stunning images show our lunar companion shining bright on a historic night for spaceflight. | | A newly discovered comet is about to face its biggest test yet.
Comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) will make a dramatic close pass of the sun on April 4, diving just above the solar surface in a high-speed "sungrazer" encounter that could determine its fate.
Whether it survives — and whether it might become visible in the daytime sky afterward — remains uncertain, but astronomers will be watching closely! | | | A new chapter in the Star Wars saga is heading to the big screen. The Mandalorian & Grogu will bring Din Djarin and his young companion out of the Disney+ series and ito theaters, marking the franchise's first cinematic release since 2019. | | | NASA's Artemis 2 launch was spectacular from the ground — but from space, it looks rather incredible too! A GOES-19 weather satellite captured the moment the Space Launch System rocket roared to life, leaving a long white plume stretching through Earth's atmosphere. | | | Thanks for reading! Stay with us for more live updates on Artemis 2 as it continues its journey around the moon. Clear skies, Daisy Dobrijevic
Reference Editor, Space.com | | | | Stay up-to-date on all things space science, news, and entertainment by subscribing to our newsletters. | |  | | | | | | When you purchase through links in our content, we may earn an affiliate commission.
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