
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
The Starbucks for Life game is back, along with your chance to win a 'Bearista' cold cup. Here's how to get your paws on one. - 2
Baikonur launch pad damaged after Russian Soyuz launch to International Space Station - 3
The Most Encouraging New companies to Look Out For - 4
Doctors seek to understand why quitting antidepressants causes withdrawal for some - 5
Spain breaks jobs record with 22 million Social Security contributors
Figure out How to Keep up with and Clean Your Brilliant Bed for Ideal Execution
Change Your Home into an Exercise center with These Famous Wellness Gadgets
One perk to marrying Richard Marx later in life? 'We don't have time' for stupid arguments, says Daisy Fuentes.
The Delight of Camper Vans: Choosing the One That Meets Your Requirements
Treasure trove found in Egyptian tomb solves ancient mystery
2026 Golden Globes: How to watch, start time, TV channel, full nominee list and more
5 Different ways Macintosh is Prepared to Overwhelm Gaming, Even Against Windows
'No Kings' protests recap: More than 8 million turned out across all 50 states, organizers say
Poll: Most are satisfied with their health insurance, but a quarter report denials or delays













