New footage shows moment Orion capsule hatch is opened at sea

A newly released video captures the instant a recovery team opened the hatch of Artemis II’s Orion capsule, revealing the four astronauts in a heartfelt reunion. Cheers erupted as the crew—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen—were all found safe and well following their splashdown on Friday, April 10. The historic mission marked the farthest human travel from Earth in history.

Steve Backshall recently documented two of the UK’s last surviving orcas, which he described as one of his “greatest British wildlife moments.” Meanwhile, France’s Eiffel Tower and Barcelona’s Sagrada Família Basilica were among the global landmarks that dimmed for an hour on Saturday night.

The 98-meter-tall Space Launch System (SLS) and Orion spacecraft undertook a four-mile journey from their assembly building to Pad 39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This movement highlighted the logistical precision required for space missions.

Weather and natural events

Tenerife experienced an unexpected snowfall as Storm Therese swept across the Canary Islands. The Met Office issued yellow severe weather warnings for both wind and rain, emphasizing the storm’s impact on the UK.

Storm Floris was predicted to deliver unseasonably strong gusty winds, challenging typical weather patterns. Observers in North York Moors National Park captured an astronomical event on August 13, adding to the year’s collection of natural wonders.

Scientific insights and city spaces

Researchers studying planet K2-18b’s atmosphere detected molecules typically produced by simple Earth organisms, offering clues about potential habitability. Meanwhile, Baroness Kathy Willis discussed the significance of green and blue spaces in urban environments.

BBC science correspondent Pallab Ghosh explained the implications of an astronaut falling ill in space, while London Zoo conducted its annual animal weigh-in, assessing over 10,000 creatures for health and wellbeing.

Space exploration and public engagement

London Zoo in Regent’s Park hosted its yearly animal weigh-in, with staff measuring thousands of animals to track their condition. BBC Verify’s Ben Chu examined data to determine if wind power contributes to rising UK energy costs, as suggested by President Trump.

Studying ice sheet samples provides an environmental record spanning over a million years. An animal rights activist, who studied chimps for decades, passed away at 91, leaving a legacy in conservation efforts.

“One of my greatest British wildlife moments,” Steve Backshall remarked about spotting the orcas.