AkaSci 🛰️

SatCom Scientist
Writing occasionally about science, space missions, astronomy, planetary science, satellites, Democracy and human rights.
He/Him
#science #space #technology #astronomy #satcom #Democracy

Public Key

npub1lxl7hdr6erhr2l4cr3ulj3fld7ej5yyxmul7lv7k8wchua2d4x5qkls3x9

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akasci_at_fosstodon.org@momostr.pink

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relay.damus.io

nos.lol

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Last Notes

2026-05-15 12:17:46 UTC

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The Psyche spacecraft Multispectral Imager cameras have been clicking away taking images of Mars as it gets closer.
Raw images using different filters (V, G, B, IR, ...) are posted at https://solarsystem.nasa.gov/psyche-raw-images/.
The 1st image is a IR1-G-B composite of images taken yesterday, processed by imaging maestro Simeon Schmauß @npub1tjz…mk9e
The 2nd image is a raw image using the Green filter (550 nm), taken on May 14, 2026 at 3:41:21 PM (UTC).
https://www.flickr.com/photos/semeion/
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2026-05-14 23:41:53 UTC

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Mars as seen by the Psyche spacecraft on May 3 from a distance of 4.8 million km.
"The image was acquired by the multispectral imager instrument’s panchromatic or broadband filter, with an exposure time of just 2 milliseconds.
Even with this short exposure time, the crescent is extremely bright and parts of the image are oversaturated.
The light seen here is sunlight reflected off the surface of Mars and also scattered by dust particles in its atmosphere."
https://science.nasa.gov/photojournal/nasas-psyche-mission-captures-mars-during-gravity-assist-approach/
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2026-05-14 23:23:34 UTC

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Video from NASA with details on how the Psyche spacecraft will use a gravity assist with Mars on May 15, 2026, to slingshot itself and change the plane of its orbit for its rendezvous with the asteroid Psyche in 2029.
Most of the instruments onboard the Psyche spacecraft will be active during the flyby for test and calibration purposes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5k8T8Nas1g
Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/ASU/True Story Films
2/n

2026-05-14 23:06:57 UTC

NASA’s Psyche spacecraft will swing by Mars on Friday, May 15, around 19:27 UTC, passing ~4,500 km from the planet’s surface at ~19,848 km/h.
It will steal some energy from Mars and get a gravitational boost to speed up and adjust its trajectory toward the metal-rich asteroid Psyche, for rendezvous in Aug 2029.
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/psyche/2026/05/08/nasas-psyche-mission-to-fly-by-mars-for-gravity-assist/
Check out these threads for more info on the mission -
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/111227821265670490
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/111235410515257631
https://fosstodon.org/@AkaSci/114430022259288973
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2026-05-14 21:24:46 UTC

"Raising the Flag" by Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist Nick Anderson.
"There’s a particular kind of decision that doesn’t just change the law. It rewrites the story we tell ourselves about the country. The Supreme Court’s latest ruling on the Voting Rights Act is one of those decisions.
The court’s conservative majority didn’t simply narrow a statute. It made a far more sweeping claim: that the conditions that justified the law no longer exist."
https://nickanderson.substack.com/p/raising-the-flag
#UsPol
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2026-05-13 22:56:05 UTC

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In related news, NV Energy, the Nevada utility that has supplied the bulk of Lake Tahoe’s electricity for decades, will stop providing power after May 2027 - to meet the demand of ... AI data centers.
The ~50,000 residents of Lake Tahoe will be left without power, unless the local utility can find an alternate source by then, probably at some higher price.
https://fortune.com/2026/05/12/lake-tahoe-data-center-49000-residents-power-source/
2/n

2026-05-13 22:42:44 UTC

After a short delay of the vote last week, county commissioners approved the gargantuan Stratos AI data-center in Utah.
~40,000 acres, 9GW using gas from a nearby pipeline, plus water in a drought-stricken area.
Kevin O’Leary, the VC who appears on the TV show Shark Tank, claimed that most of the protesters don’t live locally and have been paid to object to the project.
That now seems to be the standard response from republicans and tech-bros.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/may/13/utah-approves-datacenter-backlash?
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2026-05-13 16:49:57 UTC

Interior Sec. Doug Burgum: When the sun goes down, solar produces zero electricity. The whole machine doesn't work when the sun goes down. And there's examples from around the world of this happening.
Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA): Chairman, I request unanimous consent to enter into the record, this amazing new technology that apparently the secretary is unaware of, it's a battery. China's figured it out. That's why they're cleaning our clock on clean energy.
https://www.rawstory.com/burgum-solar-battery-hearing-new/
#UsPol
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2026-05-12 12:24:24 UTC

The winner of the ZWO Astronomy Photographer of the Year 2025 People's Choice Award -
"Dragon Tree Trails" by Benjamin Barakat, taken from Firmihin Forest, Hidaybu District, Socotra, Yemen.
Benjamin: "A solitary tree stands tall in the heart of Socotra’s forest of dragon’s blood trees – an otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else on Earth. Facing north, I knew this spot was ideal for a star trail composition."
https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/astronomy-photographer-year/galleries/peoples-choice-2025
Overall winners at https://www.rmg.co.uk/whats-on/astronomy-photographer-year/galleries/overall-winners-2025
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2026-05-11 01:34:31 UTC

"17 Americans aboard MV Hondius will be flown to the U.S. — with a first stop in Nebraska, home of the highly specialized National Quarantine Unit.
The CDC is not considering this a quarantine, but rather a brief visit to monitor their health.
The passengers will be checked for symptoms, but not tested for hantavirus, as testing is not recommended for those without symptoms, according to a CDC official."
🤔
https://www.cnn.com/2026/05/10/us/hantavirus-cruise-passengers-nebraska-facility
#Health
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2026-05-01 21:41:51 UTC

Elon Musk will receive "200 million in super-voting restricted shares" if SpaceX achieves a market value of $7.5 trillion (currently $1.48 trillion) and establishes a "permanent colony on Mars with 1 million humans."
There is a consolation prize of "60.4 million in restricted shares" if SpaceX deploys orbiting data centers with at least 100 terawatts (!) of compute capacity.
That's 1 million ODCs at 100 MW each? Are we off by a factor of 1000?
Or is this a joke?
https://www.bgr.com/2162273/elon-musk-spacex-mars-human-colony-200000000-payday/
1/n

2026-04-29 13:19:15 UTC

"The footage shows the officer drew his weapon within 2 seconds of Allen’s arrival. The officer fired multiple times at Allen — and in the general direction of other security personnel as Allen ran past them.
There is no indication in the footage that Allen fired his weapon, though authorities have charged him with discharging a firearm. The footage shows no obvious flash from the muzzle of the shotgun before the suspect runs out of the frame."
https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/04/29/white-house-correspondents-dinner-video-new/
#UsPol
1/n

2026-04-26 11:51:39 UTC

"Trump on Friday fired all 24 members of the National Science Board (NSB), the body that oversees the National Science Foundation (NSF). Many science advocates see it as the latest step by his administration to erode—some would say destroy—the independence of the 76-year-old research agency."
Quite likely, the board will be replaced by loyalists. Even if not, the WH will decide which "science" gets funded and which orgs get the funding.
https://www.science.org/content/article/trump-fires-nsf-s-oversight-board
#Science #UsPol
1/n

2026-04-22 18:17:27 UTC

Alt-Math.
Idiot-Math.
Loony-Math.
Gaslight-Math.
https://bsky.app/profile/drkatemarvel.bsky.social/post/3mk3wv3tmp22y
#UsPol
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2026-04-21 11:55:24 UTC

Mike Masnick on the Palantir manifesto:
"Palantir has made itself ideologically and technically indispensable to one specific admin’s political project — which includes mass deportation, data consolidation on citizens, and the kinds of enforcement actions that require exactly the ideological framework Karp just publicly endorsed.
One of the many problems with fascism as a business strategy is that it only works if the fascists stay in power indefinitely."
https://www.techdirt.com/2026/04/20/palantir-goes-mask-off-for-fascism-it-wont-end-well/
#UsPol
1/n

2026-04-18 21:54:03 UTC

To conserve power and to extend the life of the mission, one more instrument on the venerable Voyager 1 probe is being shut down - the Low-energy Charged Particles experiment (LECP).
The shut-off command was sent on April 17; it will take 2 days to receive confirmation.
The table below shows the status of the major instruments on the two spacecraft.
The 49 year old probes could operate with at least one science instrument into the 2030s.
https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/voyager/2026/04/17/nasa-shuts-off-instrument-on-voyager-1-to-keep-spacecraft-operating/
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2026-04-18 13:17:27 UTC

On 18 April 1955, the world lost one of the greatest minds in history - Albert Einstein passed away in Princeton due to complications from the rupture of an abdominal aorta.
Einstein refused surgery, saying - "I want to go when I want. It is tasteless to prolong life artificially. I have done my share; it is time to go. I will do it elegantly."
https://allthatsinteresting.com/albert-einstein-death
Funeral pics at https://time.com/3494553/the-day-albert-einstein-died-a-photographers-story/
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2026-04-14 11:50:34 UTC

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Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is featured in today's NASA APOD.
This image was taken by astrophotographer Haythem Hamdi, in Rhode Island, USA, on April 12. It captures the comet’s glowing coma and flowing tail shaped by the solar wind. Haythem used an Askar 80PHQ refractor and reducer to get a wide field of view for framing the long tail.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260414.html
https://www.instagram.com/hamdi_astrophotography/
Image Credit & Copyright: Haythem Hamdi
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2026-04-14 03:19:42 UTC

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Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) artistically captured by astrophotographer Petr Horálek over the Seč Lake, Czech Republic.
The Andromeda Galaxy can be seen on the left in this pic taken just before dawn.
https://www.petrhoralek.com/?p=26091
Check out Petr's other works at https://www.petrhoralek.com/ and
https://www.instagram.com/petrhoralek/?hl=en
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2026-04-13 23:13:37 UTC

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Comet R3 (PanSTARRS) featured on NASA APOD yesterday.
This beautiful image of the comet sporting a tail extending over 10 degrees, was taken on April 9 from Sion, Switzerland with the big mountain Bietschhorn on the left.
The composite image was taken with a 120-300 lens, set at 180mm.
https://apod.nasa.gov/apod/ap260412.html
https://www.instagram.com/p/DW6sYW2DBWm/
Image Credit & Copyright: José Rodrigues
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2026-04-13 22:53:31 UTC

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C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is an Oort cloud comet, traveling from ~6,300 AU away for ~170,000 years. Its hyperbolic trajectory will cause it to be ejected from the Solar System on its way out, if it survives.
Its trajectory is sharply inclined wrt to the ecliptic. It will cross the ecliptic about halfway between Earth and the Sun, with perihelion on April 19.
Let's see how much it will brighten up due to forward scattering of sunlight by its dusty tail.
🤞 ☄️
https://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/tools/sbdb_lookup.html#/?sstr=c%2F2025%20R3&view=VOP
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2026-04-13 22:41:12 UTC

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Here is a skymap with the location of Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) in the predawn sky until April 17, within the Pegasus Constellation.
After perihelion on April 19, it will appear after sunset, but remain low in the sky.
It will brighten to Mag 3.5 and even to 0.0 due to forward scattering as it flies between Earth and the Sun.
Best time to watch is over the next few days.
https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/lifestyle/astro-bob/astro-bob-comet-pan-starrs-makes-brief-bright-appearance-at-dawn
https://astro.vanbuitenen.nl/comet/2025R3
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2026-04-13 22:20:29 UTC

Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS) is now putting on a show, visible low in the predawn sky, with binoculars or telescope.
Perihelion: Apr 19, Mag 3.6, 0.5 AU from Sun, 0.587 AU from earth, inside the orbit of Venus
Nearest approach: Apr 26, Mag 1.2, 0.489 AU from Earth
Here is spectacular image of Comet C/2025 R3 (PanSTARRS), taken at 03:46 UTC April 13, using a 12” telescope at Farm Tivoli, Namibia, by Gerald Rhemann and Michael Jäger, .
Image source: https://www.facebook.com/groups/236984486729162/user/100003512456563/
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2026-04-12 15:44:49 UTC

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trump said the U.S. will blockade the Strait of Hormuz. The U.S. Navy will “seek and interdict every vessel in International Waters that has paid a toll to Iran.”
All rage, no brains.
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/12/trump-iran-war-strait-of-hormuz.html
#UsPol
3/n

2026-04-12 04:21:26 UTC

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trump and Sec. of State Rubio were in the situation room while Vance was unsuccessful trying to strike a deal with Iran.
Strike that - they were attending a UFC fight.
It's self-dealing and grift all the way.
#UsPol
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2026-04-12 04:14:48 UTC

Should we laugh or should we cry?
#UsPol
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2026-04-09 14:22:09 UTC

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A look at Artemis II mission control in Houston, the large number of displays and the enormous amount of data displayed and monitored by mission control personnel.
There are 4 rows of displays and personnel in this image.
At the time of this photograph, ~3 hours into the mission, the Artemis II crew was conducting a manual piloting test called the proximity operations demo.
Camera: Nikon Z 9
DateTime: 2026:04:01 21:21:15 EDT
Full-res image at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55196252006/
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2026-04-09 12:23:18 UTC

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How do you watch a solar eclipse from space?
The same way you do from Earth - using eclipse glasses 😎
Looking fabulous - Mission Specialist Christina Koch (top left), Mission Specialist Jeremy Hansen (bottom left), Commander Reid Wiseman (bottom right), and Pilot Victor Glover (top right).
Camera: Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max
Date: 2026:04:07 01:32:01
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193207308/
#Artemis2
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2026-04-09 03:29:11 UTC

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O what a difference it makes when a genuine world leader and gracious human being has a conversation with the Artemis II astronauts!
PM Mark Carney: "I just wonder, a lot of Canadians just want one point of reassurance that the preference is for maple syrup over Nutella on on your pancakes in the morning."
🤣
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzl7WGluYgk
72/n

2026-04-08 23:09:04 UTC

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Some info on the GoPro HERO4 cameras attached to each of the 4 solar arrays of the Artemis II Orion European Service Module (ESM).
These are a WiFi-based GoPro cameras, modified for use in space.
- 5.8 GHz WiFi
- 4kx3k pixels (12 MP)
- Fixed 18-mm lens
- No LED/LCD display
- Metal case
The primary purpose of these cameras is to check the health and status of the spacecraft and to aid in problem diagnosis.
Go #Artemis2 #Orion #ESM
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20230003915/downloads/Wi-Fi%20on%20Artemis%201%20-%20FINAL.pdf
71/n
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2026-04-08 22:55:18 UTC

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Lovely crisp shot of the Artemis II Orion European Service Module (ESM) and the thrusters at its bottom, taken by one of the GoPro HERO4 Black cameras mounted on each of the 4 solar arrays.
Can you see how the GoPro camera is mounted at the end of the solar array?
Settings for this image:
FocalLength: 3.0 mm
ISO 100
ExposureTime: 1/2400 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:07 13:40:25 UTC
Distance from Moon: 52,430 km
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55194459003/
70/n
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2026-04-08 20:57:31 UTC

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Wake-up music for Artemis II astronauts today - “Under Pressure,” by Queen and David Bowie.
"It's the terror of knowing what this world is about
Watching some good friends screaming, "Let me out"
Pray tomorrow gets me higher
Pressure on people, people on streets
...
Can't we give ourselves one more chance?
Why can't we give love that one more chance?"
Very apt song for these trying times.
And featuring, among others, astrophysicist and guitarist Sir Brian May.
😎
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a01QQZyl-_I
69/n

2026-04-08 16:30:43 UTC

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Here is the awesome selfie of the European Service Module (ESM) with Earthset over the moon in the background. Taken by one of the 4 GoPro HERO4 Black cameras mounted on the solar panels of the ESM.
Camera: GoPro, HERO4 Black, 12MP
FocalLength: 3.0 mm
ISO 100
ExposureTime: 1/3500 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:06 22:42:14 UTC
Distance to lunar surface: 6,420 km
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55192657082/
68/n
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2026-04-08 15:44:17 UTC

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From Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency.
Pic taken by one of the 4 GoPro cameras mounted on solar panels on the European Service Module (ESM).
The ESM provides propulsion, water and oxygen for astronauts, electrical power generation and storage, and temperature control.
😎
@npub1wg6…p0eg [@bert_hubert](https://eupolicy.social/@bert_hubert ) [@cosmos4u](https://scicomm.xyz/@cosmos4u )
67/n
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2026-04-08 01:03:48 UTC

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The two newly named craters on the Moon -
1. Carroll - named after astronaut Reid Wiseman's late wife, 18.84°N 86.83°W
2. Integrity - named after the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, 2.67°N 104.92°W
After the mission is complete, the crater name proposals will be submitted to the International Astronomical Union for official review and adoption.
https://quickmap.lroc.im-ldi.com/?camera=8583.1212%2C-4490898.2733%2C12862.3235%2C-0.0019%2C1%2C-0.0029%2C0%2C0.0029%2C1%2C60&showGraticule=true&stack=3314%2C3113&proj=22&defs=N4IgzAjBYgXKB7ADgQwMYEsAuBPOAGAOgBYwBfAGnEmLkVU1zgjLKA
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carroll_(crater)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Integrity_(crater)
66/n
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2026-04-07 20:49:17 UTC

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The solar eclipse imaged by the "mighty" GoPro HERO4 Black camera mounted on one of the solar arrays of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft, taken at 01:10:44 UTC.
Featuring the moon lit by Earthshine on the left, a halo of zodiacal light, planets Saturn and Mars on the lower right and stars posing for the camera.
😎
Go #Artemis. Go #GoPro.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193566011/
65/n
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2026-04-07 15:03:04 UTC

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A fascinating image of the Moon's far side during the total solar eclipse, as seen last night by Artemis II astronauts around 01:06:19 UTC.
The glowing halo around the dark lunar disk is due to the zodiacal light, i.e, Sunlight reflected off space dust.
The left side of the moon is dimly lit up by Earth-shine, light reflected off Earth, located off the frame in the distance on the left.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193054741/
More at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/
64/n
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2026-04-07 14:54:09 UTC

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Hi-res Earth-set images captured using the Nikon D5 camera by astronauts aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft last night around 22:41 UTC.
EXIF data at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193180468/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193178333/
More images at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/with/55193462360
63/n
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2026-04-07 11:43:27 UTC

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Sunset and Sunrise across the Moon as observed by Artemis II astronauts last night.
This is a simple composite of two images taken about 54 minutes apart by the GoPro camera located on one of the the solar arrays. Sunset is on the right, Sunrise ~54 minutes later is on the left.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
62/n
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2026-04-07 11:41:32 UTC

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Earth-set and Earth-rise over the Moon as observed by Artemis II astronauts last night.
This is a simple composite of two images taken about 45 minutes apart by the GoPro camera located on one of the the solar arrays. Earth-set is on the right, Earth-rise 45 minutes later is on the left.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
61/n
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2026-04-07 10:31:48 UTC

Can't find any info on the status of the TACHELES 6U CubeSat from Germany, deployed by Artemis II. Except that it is in a 156.4 x 70,254.4 km elliptical inclined orbit.
The satellite is designed to test the effect of radiation on electronics for lunar rovers being built by the German company NEUROSPACE.
The name comes from the German Tacheles, "straight talk," which is itself derived from Yiddish תּכלית (takhles, 'purpose, result').
@npub1wg6…p0eg [@cosmos4u](https://scicomm.xyz/@cosmos4u )
https://www.neuro-space.de/portfolio-collections/missions/project-title-5
60/n
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2026-04-07 00:02:52 UTC

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Looks like Artemis II will lose the comm link soon, as it approaches a solar eclipse at 8:25 p.m. EDT (00:25 UTC). Comms will be back around 9:00 p.m. EDT (01:00 UTC), via the DSN site in Madrid, after batteries are recharged.
53/n

2026-04-06 23:31:48 UTC

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Orion is back in LOS of Earth, greeted by a crescent Earth-rise. Can't see much of the dark side of the moon with this GoPro engineering camera.
52/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/360/361/756/929/614/original/73829e4216cbd86f.jpg

2026-04-06 22:58:41 UTC

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Flight controllers taking a well-deserved break as Orion traverses the far side of moon with radio-silence for about 45 minutes.
61/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/360/231/069/589/693/original/550ef2b0f76b9f7b.jpg

2026-04-06 22:44:07 UTC

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Earth-set!
Moments before the communications interruption.
Earth-rise and comms reestablishment around 7:25 p.m. EDT (23:25 UTC).
60/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/360/177/861/504/020/original/e12dc6b2f2b5b74e.jpg

2026-04-06 22:35:17 UTC

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Here comes the crescent Earth into view on the right side of the Moon!.
Fantastic!
59/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/360/148/400/914/888/original/5abe6dbe67108544.jpg

2026-04-06 21:51:01 UTC

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A graphic of the location of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft on its orbital path and the location of the Moon as it "slides" under it.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmaNMHU9CQ
58/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/359/967/519/816/797/original/33d4d385b3cbcd93.png

2026-04-06 21:41:27 UTC

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The moon as viewed by the GoPro camera on the solar panel of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft at 21:30 UTC. The day-night line bifurcates the Moon. Part of what we see here and the area under darkness is the lunar surface on the far side of the moon.
Go #Artemis2 🌓
57/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/359/919/611/258/168/original/10eace440f341b33.jpg

2026-04-06 18:57:43 UTC

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The Artemis II astronauts will be focusing on imaging certain features of the Moon during the flyby. E.g, the Orientale and Hetrzsprung Basins.
More info at https://science.nasa.gov/resource/artemis-ii-lunar-targeting-plan/
Note that most of the Moon has been imaged and mapped at sub-meter resolution by various orbiters over the past many years.
Check out this site to examine the lunar surface at various zoom levels and by searchable features - https://quickmap.lroc.im-ldi.com/?camera=-651167.7986%2C-3861610.2989%2C-1558914.2393%2C0.1545%2C0.9162%2C0.3698%2C-0.0615%2C-0.3647%2C0.9291%2C60&showGraticule=true&stack=3314%2C3113&selectedFeature=517%2C127&proj=22&defs=N4IgzAjBYgXKB7ADgQwMYEsAuBPOAGAOgBYwBfAGnEmLkVU1zgjLKA
56/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/359/268/598/469/232/original/2de0b201d8a8982a.png

2026-04-06 18:18:11 UTC

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This is a good YouTube site to watch the trajectory and current location of the Artemis II Orion spacecraft and of the Moon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChmaNMHU9CQ
55/n

2026-04-06 17:04:37 UTC

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A nice shot from inside the Artemis II Orion cabin as the astronauts prepare for the lunar flyby later today. Christina is like Batwoman, generally "hanging" upside down from the "ceiling" as she works on her assignments (also when she sleeps)🦇 😎
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
54/n
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2026-04-06 15:57:24 UTC

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The Artemis II Orion spacecraft is currently 396,390.6 km from Earth, crossing the orbit of the Moon. It will go past it as the Moon slides under it, reach apogee at 22:07 UTC while observing the far side of the Moon and then head back to Earth. Closest approach to Moon = 6,550 km at 22:02 UTC.
Webcast begins at 17:00 UTC at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-j1uxBmis0
Continuous coverage at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-flight-day-6-crew-ready-for-lunar-flyby/
53/n
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2026-04-06 15:29:37 UTC

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The Moon imaged from inside the Artemis II Orion spacecraft earlier today.
The image was taken a little over an hour after Integrity entered the lunar sphere of influence at 04:37 UTC, which will shape its orbit and turn it around.
Camera: NIKON D5
Lens: 35mm f/2.0
FocalLength: 35mm
ISO 400
ExposureTime: 1/250 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:06 05:45:17 UTC
Distance to Moon: 60,630 km
From Earth: 376,700 km
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009210
52/n
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2026-04-06 01:35:30 UTC

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The Moon imaged from Artemis II earlier today.
Compared to the image of the near side of moon taken from Earth (the 2nd image), this image is rotated right by about 45°, since Orion's look-angle is towards the "left side" on the moon. See post #49 for look-angles from Orion and Earth.
Camera: NIKON D5
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
FocalLength: 400 mm
ISO 400
ExposureTime: 1/1000 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:05 04:02:50 UTC
Distance to Moon: 142,000 km
From Earth: 311,200 km
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009057
51/n
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2026-04-05 22:02:18 UTC

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OK, you figure out which torsos, hands and legs belong to which astronaut in this scene aboard Artemis II Orion, as the astronauts "conduct a full sequence of suit operations, including putting on and pressurizing their suits, performing leak checks, simulating seat entry, and assessing mobility and their ability to eat and drink."
😄
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/05/artemis-ii-flight-day-5-crew-starts-day-with-suit-demo/
50/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/354/344/850/851/393/original/7d95de1106b0a01f.jpg

2026-04-05 21:48:53 UTC

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Pic of a shrinking Earth, taken earlier today from Artemis II, as the spacecraft approaches the moon.
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 14-24mm f/2.8
FocalLength: 24 mm
ISO 400
ExposureTime: 1/1250 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:05 06:35:18 UTC
Distance from Earth: 318,900 km
Still another 24 hours for lunar flyby, as Orion slows down in its orbital path, now traveling at 2,436 km/h.
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e009186
49/n
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2026-04-05 18:49:12 UTC

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Artemis II astronauts woke up on Easter Sunday to the catchy tune of "Working Class Heroes (Work)” by CeeLo Green."
"Get up, get out, go get that money
It's time to work, eh alright
Work, eh alright
Early in the morning
I'm ready and I go
It's feel like struggle
We can open up the doubts
Everybody cans crack
I got hustle in my blood
A little bit is not enough"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fKPn0t7j6Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a1Nz-iojfY
48/n

2026-04-05 14:25:50 UTC

Easter Sunday message by the President of the United States.
A message to blow up power plants and bridges of a sovereign nation and to rain death and destruction upon its civilians. In the name of Allah?
How many Christians agree with this message and the messenger?
#UsPol
1/n
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2026-04-05 01:47:31 UTC

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Visualization of what Artemis II astronauts will see during the lunar flyby as Integrity approaches the Moon and flies around its far side.
The flyby will last from 2:45 – 9:40 p.m. EDT on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Highlights in the 420x time-compressed video:
00:35: Earth sets behind the lunar llimb
00:35 - 00:40: Earth is eclipsed by the moon for about an hour
00:40: Earth-rise on the other side of the moon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMr86Yrvzlo
Also at https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/04/artemis-ii-flight-day-4-deep-space-flying-lunar-flyby-prep/
NASA/Ernie Wright
47/n

2026-04-04 19:30:51 UTC

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Wake-up music at Artemis II Integrity earlier today - "Chappell Roan – Pink Pony Club."
"I know you wanted me to stay
But I can’t ignore the crazy visions of me in LA
And I heard that there’s a special place
Where boys and girls can all be queens every single day
I’m having wicked dreams
Of leaving Tennessee
Oh, Santa Monica
I swear it’s calling me
Won’t make my mama proud
It’s gonna cause a scene
She sees her baby girl
I know she’s gonna scream
..."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GR3Liudev18
46/n

2026-04-04 18:46:31 UTC

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Pics of a crescent Earth and the Moon, taken from Artemis II at about the same time last night.
Earth:
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
FocalLength: 150 mm
ISO 500
ExposureTime: 1/640 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 23:38:59 UTC
Distance: 198,200 km
Moon:
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6
FocalLength: 400 mm
ISO 500
ExposureTime: 1/500 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 23:44:47 UTC
Distance: 233,800 km
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004437
https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004438
45/n
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2026-04-04 13:16:01 UTC

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Two of the 4 CubeSats deployed by Artemis II failed to enter proper orbit.
Successfully deployed:
TACHELES, German Space Agency
Space Weather CubeSat-1, Saudi Space Agency
Failed to enter proper orbit:
K-RadCube, Korea AeroSpace Admin
ATENEA, Argentina's Space Agency
https://fosstodon.org/@npub1xcl…e0ym/116345118308094276
@npub1pdh…tmk8
44/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/346/623/560/082/293/original/a6938b75b047d681.png

2026-04-04 10:33:03 UTC

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Photo take by the GoPro camera, located on the tip of one of the 4 solar array wings, shows part of the Orion spacecraft with the Moon in the distance.
The ESA European Service Module (ESM) and its thrusters are clearly visible.
Camera: GoPro, HERO4 Black
FocalLength: 3.0 mm
ISO 100
ExposureTime: 1/3900 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 14:21:47 UTC
Distance to moon: 238,900 km
Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004429
Another similar image at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e004411
43/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/345/930/344/658/604/original/c3c37f8ffd00718e.png

2026-04-04 04:40:06 UTC

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A closeup of the aurora australis over the Antarctic in the Blue Marble image highlights the thin fragile atmosphere that sustains all life on Earth. Note that South is up.
These images, the first such images taken by humans in over 54 years, remind us of the beauty and the fragility our planet, and of our shared responsibility to care of it and of each other.
🧑‍🤝‍🧑 🌍
https://
images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000192
42/n
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2026-04-04 03:30:35 UTC

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The simulated view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft 45 minutes later at 23:20 UTC April 6 of a crescent Earth rising over the dark lunar surface, as visualized using the NASA Eyes on the Solar System tool. In this image, Orion has traveled past the moon and is looking over its far side.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?rate=0&time=2026-04-06T23:20:00.000+00:00&surfaceMapTiling=true&lighting=flood
41/n
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2026-04-04 03:13:51 UTC

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A possible view from the Artemis II Orion spacecraft at 22:35 UTC April 6 of a crescent Earth setting over the limb of a crescent Moon, as visualized using the NASA Eyes on the Solar System tool. In this image, Orion has traveled past the moon and is looking over its far side.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?rate=0&time=2026-04-06T22:35:00.000+00:00
40/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/344/250/345/389/971/original/934f620f6b9deda4.png

2026-04-04 00:26:00 UTC

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The Artemis II Orion spacecraft is now just over half way through on its journey to the vicinity of the moon.
It will take 3 more days to arrive near the moon as its velocity decreases over time, currently at 5,218 km/h.
Go #Integrity
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2
39/n
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2026-04-03 18:42:38 UTC

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This is an image of the full night-side Earth disk taken seconds before the image in the previous post but with a shorter exposure time.
In this image, we can see the electric lights of human activity. In the lower right, sunlight illuminates the limb of the planet.
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
Lens: 14-24mm f/2.8
FocalLength: 22.0 mm
ISO 51200
ExposureTime: 1/15 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 00:27:20 UTC
Distance: 10,050 km
Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000193
38/n
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2026-04-03 18:16:41 UTC

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The Blue Marble imaged by Artemis II Commander Reid Wiseman ~30 minutes after translunar injection yesterday, as Orion started its sprint to the moon.
The image shows 2 auroras (top right and bottom left) and zodiacal light (top left). This is the night side of Earth lit by moonlight.
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP), 14-24mm f/2.8
FocalLength: 22.0 mm
ISO 51200
ExposureTime: 1/4 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:03 00:27:39 UTC
Distance: 10,150 km
Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000192
37/n
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2026-04-03 17:59:13 UTC

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A magnificent view of a serene blue Earth taken yesterday by NASA astronaut and Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman from one of the Orion spacecraft's four main windows while approaching Earth 5 hours before the translunar injection. The Sun is to the right in the image.
Camera: NIKON D5 (DSLR, 20.8 MP)
LensInfo: 35mm f/2
ISO 250
ExposureTime: 1/250 s
CreateDate: 2026:04:02 18:53:12 UTC
Distance: 51,800 km
Image and EXIF data at https://images.nasa.gov/details/art002e000191
36/n
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2026-04-03 12:27:21 UTC

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The 20-minute event last night where Artemis II astronauts spoke from space, answered questions and eloquently described their experience so far and the importance of this historic mission.
Inspiring!
Go #Artemis2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myscgUlbua4
35/n

2026-04-03 03:15:21 UTC

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Immersive 360° view video of the launch of the Artemis II mission.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LFBFRH51Jo
34/n

2026-04-03 02:35:33 UTC

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Artemis II astronauts are preparing to do a public event in the next few minutes where they will speak directly with media.
👍
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
33/n
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2026-04-03 02:02:08 UTC

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It's lonely out there 😞
Artemis II Orion is now 33,668 km away, traveling at 15,347 km/h, approaching geo-sync orbit, as Earth recedes in the dark distance, while the Moon beckons.
Astronauts have plenty of work and activities to keep them busy during the mission. Live media event with the astronauts coming up soon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
32/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/338/283/532/755/868/original/b1bf6aa6f324d781.jpg

2026-04-02 23:58:19 UTC

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Artemis II TLI complete. All systems good.
Here is a view of Earth from the spacecraft at altitude ~200 km during the TLI.
Integrity and the 4 astronauts are now headed for the moon.
Current orbit is 202x501,181 km, but the actual values will be slightly smaller due to gravitational interaction with the moon.
:mastodance:
31/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/337/817/834/506/666/original/95ad21562051a45a.jpg

2026-04-02 23:06:39 UTC

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One might consider it foolhardy for Artemis II Orion to come screaming down at 11 km/s to 191 km altitude, cross the paths of the LEO constellations and debris around 500 km, perform the TLI to adjust its speed and trajectory and race away, without colliding with anything.
But we can be assured that all that is taken care of and LEO satellites will maneuver to get out of the way as needed.
😱🤞
https://satellitetracker3d.com/track?norad-id=27426
30/n
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2026-04-02 22:29:10 UTC

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Artemis II Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) burn coming up at 7:49 p.m. EDT.
The 349-second burn will increase Integrity's speed of ~11,000 m/s by 388 m/s and stretch the current 191x70,133 km elliptical orbit to go ~10,427 km beyond the moon and return back to earth.
A few minor burns will be made during the trip to fine-tune the trajectory.
The graphic below shows the approx. location of Integrity and the moon - now, during TLI and around April 6-8.
Go #Artemis2!
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/02/artemis-ii-flight-day-2-crew-houston-poll-go-for-translunar-injection-burn/
29/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/337/501/964/920/277/original/bba81446284dc330.png

2026-04-02 18:36:23 UTC

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Cubesats deployed by Artemis II in High Earth Orbit:
TACHELES, German Space Agency: Effects of space env on electrical components.
K-RadCube, Korea AeroSpace Admin: Space radiation and its biological effects
Space Weather CubeSat-1, Saudi Space Agency: Space weather at a range of distances from Earth
ATENEA, Argentina's Space Agency; Assess radiation shielding methods, measure Earth's radiation spectrum, collect GPS data and validate a long-range comm link
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6197&context=smallsat
28/n
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2026-04-02 16:23:58 UTC

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Check out this dashboard for real-time status and telemetry from Artemis II.
https://artemis.cdnspace.ca/
h/t @npub1yzh…a62r
https://fosstodon.org/@npub1yzh…a62r/116336006900298832
27/n
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2026-04-02 14:39:48 UTC

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Artemis II has a total of 28 camera systems, many for internal and external inspection and navigation, 4 located on each of Orion’s 4 solar arrays.
The fixed engineering cameras are primarily meant for in-flight inspection of the spacecraft. But they also opportunistically capture images of Earth and the moon in the background.
The astronauts carry two handheld Nikon D5 digital SLR 20.8 MP cameras for hi-res images and videos.
https://talkoftitusville.com/2025/12/24/what-cameras-will-the-artemis-ii-astronauts-have-aboard/
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/20230017638/downloads/1325_Melendrez_Orion%20Imaging%20Capabilities.pdf
26/n
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2026-04-02 14:19:54 UTC

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Artemis II astronauts woke up this morning at 7:06 a.m. EDT with the song “Sleepyhead” by Young and Sick.
They then completed the perigee raise burn by igniting the Orion service module’s main engine for 43 seconds, which modified the trajectory to a 191x70133 km elliptical orbit. Perigee in another 12 hours or so.
The crew members will rest for another 4.5 hours before they are again awakened to start their first full day in space.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIW-w-P2nOc
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/02/artemis-ii-flight-update-perigee-raise-burn-complete/
25/n

2026-04-02 11:41:27 UTC

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Integrity, the Artemis II Orion Integrity spacecraft, is located 71,245 km away, almost 2x the alt. of GSO, in a highly elliptical orbit, above the Pacific Ocean, west of Peru.
After reaching Apogee, it will turn around and execute a Perigee Raising Burn at around 8:15 a.m. EDT (12:15 UTC) and head back towards Earth.
12 hours later, at Perigee, it will execute the Translunar Injection Burn and shoot for the Moon.
https://www.n2yo.com/?s=99999&live=1
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2
https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-ii-press-kit/
24/n
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2026-04-02 11:10:50 UTC

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The serene view of the Pale Blue Crescent from the Artemis II Orion Integrity spacecraft this morning, now located 70,920 km away, high above the Pacific Ocean, west of Peru, as the astronauts grab some sleep after a hectic day yesterday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
23/n
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2026-04-02 04:22:13 UTC

A crescent Earth as seen from the Artemis II Orion Integrity spacecraft, now over 46,000 km away. The spacecraft is located above the north-east coast of Brazil, where it is night-time
22/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/333/180/019/256/130/original/4ef9a36d4ffafcdf.jpg

2026-04-02 03:21:26 UTC

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Artemis II Orion has been climbing to high earth orbit over the past 2 hours thanks to the apogee raising burn at T+01:47:57. It is currently over 38,000 km from earth, higher than geo-sync orbit and will continue climbing for several more hours.
It's ground track appears to have reversed direction, now going east to west, as earth is moving west to east at a relatively higher angular speed.
https://www.n2yo.com/?s=99999&live=1
20/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/332/951/231/761/695/original/4bdef73b226c7964.png

2026-04-02 02:21:13 UTC

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RE: https://mastodon.nl/@radiotelescoop/116332712647755534
https://fosstodon.org/@npub1cuv…u7h5/116332712853772147
@npub1kxu…9fca
19/n
#note1afu…trr5

2026-04-02 02:05:41 UTC

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Artemis II Proximity Operations Demo coming up.
It will test the Orion spacecraft’s ability to manually maneuver relative to another spacecraft, the ICPS, after separation, using its onboard navigation sensors and reaction control thrusters.
Orion will perform an automated backflip to turn around and face a 2-ft target on the ICPS. The crew will use hand controllers and display system to make very small movements to test Orion's maneuverability.
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/01/artemis-ii-flight-update-apogee-raise-burn-complete-crew-looks-ahead-to-proximity-operations/
18/n

2026-04-02 01:55:58 UTC

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Artemis II is now also communicating via the NASA DSN site in Madrid.
Typically, DSN is used for deep space comms, but this seems to be a an experiment to use it for near-earth spacecraft.
https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/dsn-now/dsn.html
17/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/332/619/802/710/396/original/e6a8677ab41e50d9.png

2026-04-02 01:24:32 UTC

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Few more eye-catching pics of the Artemis II launch from https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720331487648/with/55181746722
16/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/332/495/650/866/941/original/323e8d0415d4c988.png

2026-04-02 01:15:42 UTC

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Artemis II telemetry on display on the continuous webcast at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
15/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/332/456/451/407/241/original/fe1871c50db98249.jpg

2026-04-02 00:09:00 UTC

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The view from Artemis II from just past Australia.
😍
14/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/332/196/870/918/015/original/226744f1b3459397.jpg

2026-04-01 23:33:15 UTC

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Artemis II Orion is currently at 2,060 km altitude over the Indian Ocean on the night side of Earth, traveling East. Will soon fly over Australia.
Communicating with mission control via a NASA TDRS satellite.
https://www.n2yo.com/?s=99999&live=1
13/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/332/048/820/360/363/original/06faad4e6d25dc90.png

2026-04-01 22:38:59 UTC

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We have liftoff.
Go #Artemis2.
👍
More pics from today at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasahqphoto/albums/72177720331487648/with/55182696113/
12/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/331/907/967/798/989/original/64dafa1964ee4cef.jpg

2026-04-01 21:52:35 UTC

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Battery temperature issue with the Artemis II Launch Abort System's attitude controller motor being reported on social media.
NASA posted that It is believed to be an instrumentation issue, not a battery issue, and will not affect today’s launch.
11/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/331/713/277/219/936/original/b3c310a2970b2e0c.png

2026-04-01 21:24:35 UTC

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Artemis II hiccup around 5 p.m. EDT, as an issue popped up with ground hardware that communicates with the flight termination system. The flight termination system allows engineers on the ground to send a signal to destruct the rocket if it were to veer off course during ascent, to protect public safety.
Issue resolved quickly.
Launch abort system hatch now closed.
Countdown continues.
⌛ 🤞
https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/01/live-artemis-ii-launch-day-updates/
10/n

2026-04-01 18:48:57 UTC

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The card game before the launch, a tradition going back to the Gemini days.
They say it helps relax the astronauts but really it is about superstitions and warding off bad luck.
The NASA Artemis blog states - "NASA crews play cards until the commander loses. It is hoped that by losing, the commander burns off all his or her bad luck, thereby clearing the mission for only good luck."
There are many such rituals in the space community. See https://www.thespacereview.com/article/1137/1
9/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/330/922/446/457/188/original/66aa424e61dcb85f.jpg

2026-04-01 16:18:10 UTC

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The Artemis II mission is similar to the Apollo 8 mission in Dec 1968.
The 8-day Apollo 8 mission carried 3 astronauts for a trip around the moon without landing. It orbited the moon 10 times at ~185 km altitude, while the Artemis II Orion spacecraft will just swing around once around the moon with a lowest altitude of 10,427 km.
Apollo 8 was followed by 2 more crewed missions, one to lunar orbit, before the historic landing in July 1969.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_8
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/api/citations/19760005868/downloads/19760005868.pdf
8/n
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2026-04-01 15:36:57 UTC

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Artemis II countdown proceeding smoothly.
Liquid Hydrogen tanks in the core and interim cryogenic propulsion stage are at 100% level.
The interim cryogenic propulsion stage liquid hydrogen tank was transitioned to replenish mode. This phase ensures the tank remains at flight-ready levels all the way to launch.
Written updates at https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/01/live-artemis-ii-launch-day-updates/
7/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/330/176/172/840/701/original/ae45458404377f20.jpg

2026-04-01 13:42:22 UTC

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Detailed schedule of events for today and progress reports for the Artemis II mission at https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/01/live-artemis-ii-launch-day-updates/
9:25 EDT: The Artemis II launch team has begun the liquid hydrogen chilldown for the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, or SLS (Space Launch System) rocket upper stage.
The 4 astronauts got a scheduled wake-up call at 9:25 a.m. EDT, marking the start of their final preparations for the historic Artemis II mission around the Moon.
6/n
https://cdn.fosstodon.org/media_attachments/files/116/329/740/491/709/954/original/123fb0cc81e561ed.png

2026-04-01 13:40:23 UTC

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Live coverage of Artemis II mission with commentary and views of the SLS+Orion rocket at Launch Complex 39B at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs
5/n