Historic Journey to the Moon
Over the past 10 days, four astronauts have made history by traveling further into space than any humans before, journeying to the Moon and back.
I have closely followed every stage of the Artemis II mission: from launch, to their close approach to the lunar surface, and their tense return to Earth.
Prior to liftoff, the crew shared that astronauts tend to be the calmest individuals on launch day.
The Launch Experience
My excitement was uncontrollable as the rocket ignited its powerful boosters and engines, ascending skyward. My reaction quickly gained widespread attention.
Standing near the countdown clock at Kennedy Space Center in Florida, alongside science colleagues Alison Francis and Kevin Church, was an intensely physical experience.
The brilliant white flame was mesmerizing, the deafening roar took a moment to reach us, and the force of the blast was palpable.
Above all, it was difficult to fully comprehend that four humans were secured atop a 98-meter-tall rocket, bound for the Moon.
"Spectacular!" - BBC journalist reacts to Artemis II launch
As astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen caught their first glimpse of Earth from space, Glover remarked:
"Planet Earth, you look beautiful."
Following a burn of their spacecraft's main engine, they bid farewell and commenced their 250,000-mile voyage to the Moon.
As the crew adapted to microgravity, live video streamed from inside their capsule, revealing the cramped conditions. They lived, worked, ate, and slept in a space comparable in size to a minibus.
There was no privacy among the crew or from the millions worldwide tracking their every move.
Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen were living, working, sleeping and eating in a space the size of a minibus
Particular focus was given to their Universal Waste Management System, colloquially known as the toilet.
This complex system, which cost $23 million to develop, experienced plumbing issues.
During a media briefing, detailed questions about the status of their "number ones and number twos" revealed the impact on the astronauts.
For those curious, it was a "go" for bowel movements, while for urination, collapsible contingency urine devices—essentially bags with funnels—were deployed.
Inside NASA's Mission Control
At Johnson Space Center in Houston, we spent time in mission control, the operational heart of the mission.
The team, focused intently on their screens as data streamed in, monitored all spacecraft systems, including navigation and life support.
This vigilance was crucial, as Artemis II was a test flight—the first human flight on both this rocket and spacecraft combination.
Test flights inherently carry significant risks.
The nerve centre of the entire operation
Speaking with Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen for the BBC’s "13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II" podcast while he was in pre-launch quarantine underscored this reality.
He shared that he had spoken with his wife and three children about the possibility that he might not return.
13 Minutes Presents: Artemis II
The BBC’s space podcast. The story of Artemis II: NASA’s mission to loop around the Moon. Previous seasons: the stories of the first Moon landing, Apollo 13 and the Space Shuttle.
Reid Wiseman also disclosed having candid conversations with his two daughters about the mission’s dangers. He has raised them as a single father since his wife passed away six years ago.
This personal loss led to one of the mission's most poignant moments.
Honoring Carroll: A Lunar Crater Named
As the crew neared the Moon and its surface features became visible through their spacecraft window, they named a crater—a bright spot observable from Earth—after Reid Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.
The astronauts, moved to tears, embraced their commander and friend. Back in Houston, mission control and the BBC team were equally emotional.
The crew named a crater - a bright spot visible from Earth - after Reid's late wife Carroll
Everyone at NASA—from administrator Jared Isaacman to fellow astronauts, scientists, and engineers—expressed deep care for this team and fervently hoped for their success.
After surpassing Apollo 13’s record for the farthest distance traveled from Earth, the Artemis astronauts continued onward.
They captured thousands of images and recorded audio descriptions of the starkly beautiful lunar surface as it passed beneath them, ultimately traveling 252,756 miles from Earth.
Staring into space: Pilot Victor Glover enjoys the view
The Apollo legacy is deeply embedded in this mission.
Messages from Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke and Jim Lovell—recorded before his passing last year—were played to the crew during their flight.
However, some critics questioned whether this mission was merely nostalgic. They asked why so much time, effort, and an estimated $93 billion were invested in returning to the Moon, a destination already visited by the US.
NASA administrator Isaacman emphasized that the agency aims to build upon Apollo’s achievements rather than simply replicate them.
He outlined extensive lunar exploration plans, including a landing scheduled for 2028 and the establishment of a Moon base. Looking further ahead, he envisions sending humans to Mars.
Nonetheless, questions remain about the necessity of human lunar exploration when orbiters, rovers, and landers can perform many tasks.
Isaacman insisted that human presence is essential, stating that exploration is part of human DNA, while acknowledging the inherent risks.
These risks were most evident during the final phase of the Artemis mission—the return to Earth.
Return to Earth
Coming home was the mission’s ultimate challenge and its most dangerous.
Victor Glover described re-entry as akin to riding a fireball through the atmosphere. The capsule endured temperatures reaching half the surface temperature of the Sun as it descended.
Watching this intense re-entry from mission control was nerve-wracking, especially when communications were lost for six agonizing minutes as the capsule approached Earth.
The relief was immense when a bright white dot appeared above the ocean, and Wiseman’s voice was heard at mission control:
"Houston, We have you loud and clear."
The capsule then descended under large parachutes, gently splashing down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the astronauts’ safe return.
Homecoming - one of the riskiest parts of the mission
The focused calm in mission control gave way to celebration. The Houston team and thousands involved in the project rejoiced at bringing their colleagues safely home.
The Artemis astronauts have undergone an extraordinary experience, which they acknowledge will take time to fully process.
They also share a profound bond.
Victor Glover and Christina Koch pose for a photo after splashdown
Near the mission’s conclusion, I spoke with the crew in space and asked what they would miss most. Without hesitation, Christina Koch said she would miss the camaraderie, describing the crew as family.
They embarked on this mission relatively unknown but have returned as household names: Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen.
It has felt like front-row seats to history. Kevin, Ali, and I have been struck by how deeply this mission has captivated so many, as we reported continuously to satisfy the global appetite for updates.
For a few brief days, these astronauts transported millions worldwide beyond Earth and allowed us to accompany them.
If NASA’s ambitious exploration plans succeed—and other nations follow—there will be many more journeys to come.
