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

A Historic Journey to the Moon

Over the past ten days, four astronauts have etched their names into space history, reaching farther into the cosmos than any humans before them. Their voyage—traveling to the Moon and returning—has been a global spectacle, capturing the attention of millions. I’ve been tracking every moment of Artemis II, from the initial launch to the tense descent and the triumphant return. Despite the crew’s composure on launch day, as they described astronauts being “the calmest people around,” my own nerves were barely contained. The moment the rocket ignited its engines and soared into the sky, my reaction became a social media sensation.

The Thrill of Launch Day

Standing near the countdown clock at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center, I shared the experience with BBC News science team colleagues Alison Francis and Kevin Church. The raw intensity of the launch—the blinding light, the thunderous noise, the crushing force—was unforgettable. As the four astronauts ascended, I couldn’t shake the reality that human beings were secured inside a 98-meter-tall rocket, hurtling toward the Moon. Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen were the first to witness Earth from such a distance, and Glover’s words echoed across the world:

“Planet Earth, you look beautiful.”

Crammed in Space

As the crew adapted to microgravity, live footage from their capsule revealed the tight quarters they inhabited. The spacecraft’s interior was roughly the size of a minibus, forcing them to share every space. Privacy was a luxury they couldn’t afford, either from one another or from the global audience following their every move. The Universal Waste Management System, their “loo,” became a focal point of concern. Its plumbing issues, costing $23 million to design, created unexpected challenges. During a media briefing, the astronauts’ struggles with the system were laid bare, especially when discussing their “number ones and number twos.”

Emotional Bonds and Milestones

The mission’s emotional depth shone through in unexpected ways. While Jeremy Hansen discussed his family during a quarantine interview, he admitted thinking about the possibility of not returning. His wife and three children had been on his mind, adding a personal layer to the mission’s risks. Reid Wiseman, a single father since his wife’s passing six years ago, shared heartfelt conversations with his daughters about the dangers they faced. This led to a poignant moment as the crew named a lunar crater after his late wife, Carroll, a bright spot visible from Earth. The emotional outpouring was shared by both the astronauts and mission control in Houston.

Breaking Records and Honoring the Past

After surpassing Apollo 13’s record for the farthest distance traveled, the Artemis II crew continued their journey, capturing thousands of images and documenting the Moon’s stark beauty. Their 252,756-mile trek was a testament to both technological achievement and human resilience. The legacy of Apollo astronauts like Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell—whose messages were recorded before Lovell’s recent passing—remained a guiding presence. Every step forward was steeped in the spirit of those who came before, yet this mission carved its own path, proving the enduring courage of space exploration.