‘Absolutely spectacular’: Artemis II crew see first glimpse of far side of Moon
Artemis II Crew Witnesses Lunar Far Side
NASA’s Artemis II mission team has captured the first visual glimpse of the Moon’s far side. The astronauts—Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency member Jeremy Hansen—have spent three days orbiting the lunar surface in the Orion capsule. Koch remarked on the unique sight, stating, “Something about you senses that is not the Moon that I’m used to seeing.”
“Something about you senses that is not the Moon that I’m used to seeing,” Koch said.
The crew’s image of the Orientale basin, shared by NASA, highlights a historic moment: the first full view of the basin through human eyes. As of Saturday at 23:00 BST, the spacecraft was over 180,000 miles (289,681km) from Earth.
Political Developments and Public Response
Across the United States, protests against the Trump administration have intensified, with cities hosting the third No Kings rally. The Supreme Court’s review of Bill 21, a secularism law in the province, has drawn criticism from Muslim women who claim to have suffered the most. Meanwhile, the BBC’s Ione Wells reported on reactions from attendees at the Supreme Court hearing regarding Trump’s executive order.
Conservatives at the annual CPAC conference in Texas expressed mixed views on the economy. The case against Meta and Google, which led to a Los Angeles jury ruling, intensified public debate over social media’s impact on youth mental health. Farmers in Alabama, like one interviewed by the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue, continue to back Trump despite financial strain.
Airport Disruptions and Safety Incidents
Delays at New York City’s airport reached record levels due to TSA agents working without pay during a government shutdown. A collision between a passenger plane and a firefighting vehicle on the runway caused significant disruption, though no injuries were reported, according to Valero’s statement. BBC Verify analyzed the moments leading to the deadly fire truck crash at the airport.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to support TSA operations. A yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie was unharmed after a fall and rescue, returning to her yard after crews filled a sinkhole. The Great Marshmallow Drop event, where over 15,000 treats were dropped by a helicopter, drew crowds of children eager to collect them.
