‘It’s a special thing to be on Planet Earth’: Artemis crew welcomed home in Houston
‘It’s a special thing to be on Planet Earth’: Artemis crew welcomed home in Houston
Following a nine-day journey around the Moon, the Artemis II crew has returned to Houston, Texas, where they were celebrated by loved ones. The mission marked a historic milestone, taking humans farther from Earth than ever before. Commander Reid Wiseman described the experience as “the most special thing I ever went through in my life,” highlighting its significance.
“The most special thing I ever went through in my life.”
The returning astronauts—Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen—reconnected with their families on Saturday. NASA’s new “universal waste management system,” or space loo, was tested during the mission, designed to handle waste during launch, landing, and emergency situations.
Meanwhile, in unrelated news, the first lady addressed claims linking her to a late convicted sex offender, asserting that “any claims need to end.” A massive warehouse fire in Texas left no injuries, though it destroyed supplies like toilet paper and paper towels. In the Pacific, a volcano has been erupting intermittently since December 2024, raising concerns about its activity.
A Florida farmer, despite financial strain, expressed continued support for President Trump during an interview with the BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue. In Alabama, a homeowner discovered a nine-foot alligator in his pool area, which was later removed by specialists. The annual “Great Marshmallow Drop” event saw over 15,000 treats released from a helicopter, with children scrambling to collect them.
As the U.S. grapples with rising fuel prices, the average gas price has exceeded $4 for the first time since 2022. The BBC’s Ione Wells reported on protests outside the Supreme Court during a hearing about Trump’s executive order, while Leyla Khodabakhshi covered reactions in Florida ahead of the Artemis II launch. A former prosecutor, with ties to Trump from his hush-money case, remains a key figure in political discussions.
Large demonstrations against the Trump administration occurred nationwide, including the third No Kings rally. At the National Mall, an art installation titled “A Throne Fit for a King” critiqued White House renovations. The airport faced prolonged delays due to a TSA partial shutdown, impacting travelers across the country. Conservatives at CPAC in Texas shared mixed views on the current economic climate.
