Watch: BBC asks Artemis II crew a question in space
Artemis II Crew Reflects on Lunar Mission
The BBC’s Science Editor, Rebecca Morelle, engaged in a conversation with the four Artemis II astronauts as they navigated their return journey following a historic lunar fly-by. This mission marked a significant milestone, as the crew ventured farther from Earth than any humans previously have. During their last communication from the capsule prior to splashdown on Saturday, mission specialist Christina Koch expressed her longing for the “camaraderie” that defined their time together.
“I’ll mainly miss the relationships we built—like brothers and sisters,” Koch shared, highlighting the emotional bond among the crew.
Legal Cases and Political Reactions
Jasveen Sangha received a 15-year prison sentence for drug sales that contributed to the death of actor Matthew Perry. Separately, Rex Heuermann admitted guilt in the murder of eight women across Long Island between 1993 and 2010. Meanwhile, the former prosecutor, who has been a consistent ally of President Trump, defended his stance during a criminal hush-money case.
The BBC’s Ione Wells discussed perspectives from protesters and attendees at the Supreme Court hearing on Trump’s executive order. In a separate development, a Los Angeles jury concluded that Meta and Google intentionally designed addictive social media platforms, negatively impacting young users’ mental health.
Transport and Infrastructure Challenges
Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were deployed to US airports to aid TSA amid a partial government shutdown. This led to extended delays at the airport, with TSA agents working without pay. The wreckage from an incident blocked access to one of two runways at New York City’s bustling airport.
A yellow Labrador Retriever named Tessie survived a sinkhole collapse in the yard and was safely returned to her owner after rescue crews stabilized the area. BBC Verify analyzed the moments leading to a deadly collision with a fire truck at the same airport.
Economic and Social Trends
Fuel prices in the US have reached $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, driven by the ongoing Iran conflict. At the annual ‘Great Marshmallow Drop,’ thousands of treats were dropped from a helicopter as children scrambled to collect them. The event took place amid broader discussions about the economy, where conservatives at the CPAC conference in Texas expressed mixed opinions on current conditions.
Public Engagement and Presidential Events
President Trump hosted a summit focusing on AI, education, and safeguarding children in digital environments. A robot accompanied First Lady Melania Trump at the White House during this gathering. Meanwhile, the installation “A Throne Fit for a King” was unveiled at the National Mall, symbolizing critique of Trump’s White House renovations.
Savannah Guthrie, speaking for the first time since her mother’s disappearance, recounted the moment she discovered her mother was missing and grappled with the possibility that her fame had made her a target. The airport’s struggles were further highlighted by a homeowner in Tampa who found a nine-foot alligator in his pool area, which was later removed by specialists.
