Lava soars into air as Hawaii’s Kilauea volcano erupts again

On Thursday, April 9, lava erupted from the summit of Hawaii’s Kilauea, sending fountains 625ft (190m) high, as reported by the United States Geological Survey. The volcanic activity began at 11:10am local time, marking the 44th episode since December 2024. Kilauea, one of Earth’s most active volcanoes, has been intermittently active during this period, with this latest event adding to its ongoing pattern.

Artemis II crew shares insights from lunar journey

The BBC’s Science Editor Rebecca Morelle interviewed the Artemis II crew ahead of their scheduled splashdown on Saturday. The four astronauts aboard the Orion spacecraft set a new record for distance traveled from Earth, completing their third day orbiting the Moon’s far side. Through a video link, they relayed messages to loved ones and detailed their experiences during the mission.

Jeremy Hansen, Canada’s first astronaut to venture into deep space, received a call from the prime minister during the mission. The US aims to return humans to the Moon by 2028, but what role does Artemis II play? NASA’s crew conducted tests on the Orion, including drills for maneuvering the capsule, as they prepared for liftoff. The launch, delayed due to technical challenges, finally took place from Florida and is now in Earth’s orbit.

Protests and perspectives on Trump’s policies

As the Artemis II mission progressed, attention shifted to public reactions. The BBC’s Ione Wells spoke with demonstrators and spectators outside the Supreme Court during a hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order. Meanwhile, in Alabama, farmer Gary O’Donoghue expressed continued support for Trump despite financial strain. A protest installation titled “A throne fit for a king” was placed at the National Mall, critiquing the White House renovations.

Local and international voices were captured by the BBC’s Leyla Khodabakhshi, who engaged with residents and visitors in Florida before the mission’s launch. The average fuel price in the US hit $4 at the pump, a level not seen since 2022, further highlighting the economic impact of the Iran war. For the 10-day mission, NASA introduced a “universal waste management system,” or space loo, to address onboard sanitation needs.

Training for Artemis II took place at the Johnson Space Center, starting shortly after the crew was announced in 2023. The spacesuits, designed to protect astronauts during launch, landing, and emergencies, were integral to the mission. Protests against the Trump administration, including the third “No Kings” rally, underscored growing public sentiment across the country.

Amid the mission’s milestones, a commercial flight passenger had a rare glimpse of the launch, witnessing the first crewed Moon mission in half a century from three miles away. As the rocket’s power propelled the crew into space, the focus remained on their preparation and the broader implications of this historic endeavor.