Artemis Commander Shares Emotional Moment: Crater Named After Late Wife

BBC science journalist Rebecca Morelle interviewed Artemis II mission leader Reid Wiseman regarding the lunar expedition, which includes a poignant moment when the crew honored his late wife Carroll by naming a newly discovered crater after her. Wiseman’s two daughters were present in NASA’s mission control during the event, which he described as

“unbelievably powerful.”

Mission Milestones and Record-Breaking Journey

The Artemis II crew is currently on the third day of their journey around the Moon’s far side. They set a new record for distance traveled from Earth, surpassing the previous mark of 248,655 miles (400,171km) established by the Apollo 13 crew in 1970. The Orion spacecraft is expected to bring the astronauts back to Earth on 10 April, with a planned splashdown off San Diego’s coast. This 10-day mission will conclude their historic trek around the Moon.

Canadian Presence and Political Engagement

During the mission, the BBC accompanied the Rangers on their final leg of a significant journey, highlighting Canada’s growing involvement in space exploration. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the Ottawa Charge team on the rink, engaging in a formal bilateral meeting with Finnish President Sauli Niinistö. This marked his first official visit to strengthen international ties.

Additional Mission Highlights

Reid Wiseman’s wife passed away from cancer in 2020 at the age of 46. The crew shared messages with their families via video link, reflecting on their experiences so far. Meanwhile, NASA continues preparations for a potential lunar landing by 2028, though the current mission does not include a Moon touchdown.

Other Notable Events

Police were called to a Tampa residence after a homeowner discovered a nine-foot alligator in the pool area. A specialist safely removed the reptile. Separately, Jasveen Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence for selling drugs linked to the death of Friends actor Matthew Perry. Rex Heuermann also pleaded guilty to the murder of eight women between 1993 and 2010 on Long Island.