
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission.
The four astronaut's of NASA's Artemis 2 mission arrived in style ahead of their historic moon mission.
What is it?
NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman, and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen landed their T-38 jets at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on Friday (March 27).
The crew of four landed at KSC shortly before unveiling their zero gravity indicator, "Rise." Zero gravity indicators are small stuffed items that accompany crews into space to serve as a visual signal that they've left Earth's gravity as they begin to float around their spacecraft.
Rise consists of a smiling moon, wearing a cap decorated to resemble Earth, featuring a brim covered in stars.
Rise was designed by second-grader Lucas Ye of Mountain View, California, and was inspired by the iconic Earthrise moment from the Apollo 8 mission, according to a statement from NASA. The agency opened a call for submissions for the Artemis 2 mission's zero-g indicator last year and received over 2,600 submissions from over 50 countries.
Why is it amazing?
Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to lunar space in over 50 years, since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The flight will test the Orion spacecraft and see the crew carry out experiments that will help NASA prepare for further Artemis program missions.
The overall goal of the Artemis program is to establish a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, including building permanent moon bases.
NASA is currently 'go' to launch Artemis 2 as early as Wednesday, April 1, at 6:24 p.m. EDT (2224 GMT).
Follow along with the latest updates on our Artemis 2 mission live blog.
LATEST POSTS
- 1
9 Under-The-Radar Malaysian Islands To Consider Instead Of Thailand Or Indonesia - 2
Outer space conditions hamper sperm's ability to navigate toward an egg - 3
‘Trip of suffering’: Gaza evacuee details 24-hour journey to South Africa - 4
Vote in favor of the Web-based Work out schedule to Keep You Fit and Sound - 5
These 2 moon rovers used cameras and lasers to hunt for simulated water ice — and one looks like WALL-E
Kids with smartphones by age 12 are at higher risk of health issues, study finds
Flourishing as a Charitable Pioneer: Individual Encounters in Generosity
How to identify animal tracks, burrows and other signs of wildlife in your neighborhood
Banks for High Fixed Store Rates: Augment Your Investment funds
Minnesota jury says Johnson & Johnson owes $65.5 million to woman with cancer who used talcum powder
Photos: Hundreds Gather at Bondi Beach After Deadly Attack
Farewell, comet 3I/ATLAS! Interstellar visitor heads for the outer solar system after its closest approach to Earth
German politician urges more face-to-face interaction in digital age
Early diagnosis leads King Charles to scale back cancer treatment in the new year













