Space & Physics: BREAKING--Artemis II launches to the moon!

Breaking news alert in space and physics                    

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April 1—BREAKING—We have lift-off!!! For the first time in more than a half-century, humans are on their way to the moon. At 6:35 P.M. EDT, NASA's Artemis II mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Four brave astronauts are onboard—mission commander Reid Wiseman and pilot Victor Glover, plus two mission specialists, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen. Together, they'll spend the next 10 days on a trip around the moon, potentially becoming the farthest-traveled people in history and blazing a trail for future Artemis missions to land on the lunar surface. Read more in our article below and I'll be back tomorrow with more details! Thoughts? Questions? Let me know via e-mail (lbillings@sciam.com), X or Bluesky. —Lee Billings, Senior Editor, Physical Sciences *This is a special, breaking news edition of our space & physics newsletter.*

NASA's Artemis II launches on first crewed moon mission of the 21st century A daring 10-day voyage will take four astronauts on a loop around the moon and set the stage for future forays to the lunar surface

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Live: NASA's Artemis II moon mission launches The U.S. space agency on Wednesday evening launched four astronauts on what may be a record-breaking trip around the moon—see the spacecraft live Claire Cameron

Artemis II's journey to the moon, day by day The four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft will carry out a packed schedule during their trip around the moon's far side Joseph Howlett

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Artemis II's toilet is a moon mission milestone On their voyages to the moon, NASA's astronauts are finally getting some creature comforts of terrestrial toilets—such as having a door and being able to pee and poop simultaneously K. R. Callaway

How NASA will keep the Artemis II astronauts safe from space weather A major solar storm during the Artemis II mission could harm astronauts. Here's how NASA is protecting them Meghan Bartels

NASA's Artemis II astronauts arrive in Florida ahead of moon launch During their 10-day mission, this four-person crew will swing around the far side of the moon—and potentially travel farther from Earth than anyone in history Meghan Bartels

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