Artemis II Crew Witnesses Unseen Lunar Landscape

Nasa’s Artemis II team has captured the first human view of the Moon’s far side, describing the experience as “absolutely spectacular.” The astronauts, including Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency member Jeremy Hansen, are on their third day aboard the Orion spacecraft, orbiting the Moon and preparing for the return journey to Earth.

“Something about you senses that is not the Moon that I’m used to seeing,” Koch remarked during a mission update.

Nasa highlighted that the crew’s photo of the Orientale basin represents the first time the entire lunar basin has been observed by human eyes. As of 23:00 BST Saturday, the spacecraft was over 180,000 miles (289,681km) from Earth, according to the agency’s tracking system.

Protests and Political Reactions

Supreme Court and Public Sentiment

The BBC’s Ione Wells interviewed protesters and supporters gathered outside the Supreme Court during a hearing on President Donald Trump’s executive order. Meanwhile, Gary O’Donoghue spoke with a farmer in Alabama who, despite financial strain, remains loyal to the president.

Large demonstrations against the Trump administration occurred in multiple U.S. cities, coinciding with the third No Kings rally. The installation “A Throne Fit for a King,” placed at the National Mall, served as a critique of White House renovation efforts. The former prosecutor’s close ties to Trump were also noted, having defended him in a hush-money case.

Immigration and Airport Delays

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to U.S. airports during a partial government shutdown, aiding TSA staff working without pay. The New York City airport faced severe delays, with a sinkhole blocking one runway after a rescue operation.

BBC Verify analyzed the moments leading to a deadly collision involving a fire truck and a passenger plane on the airport’s runway. A yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie survived the incident unscathed, returning to her yard post-rescue. Valero, a refinery operator, reported no injuries in the event.

Public Events and Social Media Debate

At the annual Great Marshmallow Drop, over 15,000 fluffy treats were released from a helicopter as children competed to collect them. Trump’s upcoming summit on AI, education, and digital safety drew attention, following a recent ruling by a Los Angeles jury that found Meta and Google designed addictive platforms harmful to youth mental health.

In her first post-disappearance interview, Savannah Guthrie recounted learning of her mother’s disappearance and reflecting on whether her fame made her a target. The Air Canada plane, carrying 72 passengers, initially landed safely from Montreal before colliding with a firefighting vehicle.

Economic Concerns and Political Gatherings

Conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas expressed mixed views on the current U.S. economy. As Iran-related tensions drive fuel prices higher, the average gas price surpassed $4 for the first time since 2022.