Nine days, one hour, 31 minutes — history made at every turn: Artemis II just rewrote space history, from record-breaking distance to historic firsts by NASA astronauts, this mission pushed human spaceflight further than ever before.

What made this journey truly historic? Scroll down.

Out of this world: The records NASA's Artemis II broke on its way to the moon and back | In Pics

Four astronauts. One broken toilet. No way to flush: The Artemis II crew made it around the Moon just fine. Getting home with a working bathroom is proving harder. All we know.

Artemis II: Astronauts stuck using 'special bags' as $23 million toilet gets clogged

Joint projects, such as the NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, demonstrate how collaboration enhances global monitoring of climate change, natural disasters, and other scientific research objectives.

From NASA to ISRO: Top 6 space agencies shaping the future of exploration

The United States’ space agency, NASA’s Orion spacecraft, reached a key milestone in its voyage around the Moon by travelling furthest than any spacecraft designed to carry humans has before. On Monday, NASA confirmed that the uncrewed Orion capsule has moved at least 270,000 miles (430,000 km) beyond Earth marking the midpoint of the mission.&nbsp;

The Orion spacecraft is key to the US space agency’s historic Artemis I mission which plans to&nbsp;send&nbsp;humans to the Moon after nearly five decades. The previous record was set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 which carried astronauts at least 248,655 miles (400,171 km) away from Earth.&nbsp;

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/a-close-up-of-the-moon-artemis-1s-orion-spacecraft-captures-closest-images-of-the-lunar-body-537255">A close-up of the Moon: Artemis 1's Orion spacecraft captures closest images of the lunar body</a>

The capsule took off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, earlier this month, on a 26-day mission to test the limits of the vehicle and ensure it is safe for astronauts to travel. Notably, the distance covered by Orion, on Monday, is more than 40,000 miles (64,374 km) beyond the far side of the Moon.&nbsp;

While the mission has encountered a few technical hiccups or as the Artemis I Mission Manager Michael Sarafin calls them “funnies” he has assured that none of them is “out there are of consequence”. Meanwhile, Orion Program Manager Howard Hu, on Monday, told the press that Orion’s performance so far has been “outstanding” and even exceeding expectations in certain aspects like using much less fuel.&nbsp;

ALSO WATCH |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/artemis-i-explained-nasas-first-mission-to-land-humans-on-the-moon-after-50-years-510343">Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years</a>

It had previously witnessed some issues with the data sent by Orion’s star tracker, which signals the orientation of the spacecraft. However, NASA officials have said that is not uncommon when it comes to operating a new spacecraft and have since “worked through” it. The spacecraft is due to crash in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on December 11.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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The United States’ space agency, NASA’s Orion spacecraft, reached a key milestone in its voyage around the Moon by travelling furthest than any spacecraft designed to carry humans has before.

The United States’ space agency, NASA’s Orion spacecraft, reached a key milestone in its voyage around the Moon by travelling furthest than any spacecraft designed to carry humans has before. On Monday, NASA confirmed that the uncrewed Orion capsule has moved at least 270,000 miles (430,000 km) beyond Earth marking the midpoint of the mission. The Orion spacecraft is key to the US space agency’s historic Artemis I mission which plans to send humans to the Moon after nearly five decades. The previous record was set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 which carried astronauts at least 248,655 miles (400,171 km) away from Earth. ALSO READ | A close-up of the Moon: Artemis 1's Orion spacecraft captures closest images of the lunar body The capsule took off from Florida's Kennedy Space Center, earlier this month, on a 26-day mission to test the limits of the vehicle and ensure it is safe for astronauts to travel. Notably, the distance covered by Orion, on Monday, is more than 40,000 miles (64,374 km) beyond the far side of the Moon. While the mission has encountered a few technical hiccups or as the Artemis I Mission Manager Michael Sarafin calls them “funnies” he has assured that none of them is “out there are of consequence”. Meanwhile, Orion Program Manager Howard Hu, on Monday, told the press that Orion’s performance so far has been “outstanding” and even exceeding expectations in certain aspects like using much less fuel. ALSO WATCH | Artemis I Explained: NASA's first mission to land humans on the moon after 50 years It had previously witnessed some issues with the data sent by Orion’s star tracker, which signals the orientation of the spacecraft. However, NASA officials have said that is not uncommon when it comes to operating a new spacecraft and have since “worked through” it. The spacecraft is due to crash in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of California on December 11. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

NASA's Orion spacecraft reaches record-breaking distance of 270,000 miles away from Earth

NASA’s new moon rocket will make its debut next week in a risky test flight before astronauts reach the lunar surface.

The 322-foot rocket will attempt to launch an empty crew capsule into lunar orbit, fifty years after NASA’s renowned Apollo moon shots.

However, the six-week plan is dangerous. The space agency still hopes to put two people on the lunar surface by the end of the year 2025, but if things go as per plan, astronauts could strap in as early as 2024 for a trip around the moon.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/watch-45-years-in-space-nasas-voyager-2-continues-its-interstellar-journey-509609">Watch: 45 years in space, NASA’s Voyager 2 continues its interstellar journey</a>

NASA administrator Bill Nelson said that if things go wrong for the Artemis programme, spiralling expenses and lengthy intervals between missions will make it difficult for the agency to make a comeback.

Compared to the Saturn V rockets that launched 24 Apollo astronauts to the moon 50 years ago, the new rocket is shorter and leaner, but with 4 million kilogrammes of thrust, it is more powerful.

The new rocket, in contrast to the Saturn V’s sleek design, includes two strap-on boosters.

The rocket’s core stage will continue to fire before detaching and fragmenting when it crashes into the Pacific. A higher stage will launch the Orion spacecraft towards the moon in the two hours following lift-off.

The boosters won’t be recovered from the Atlantic for reuse; instead, they will peel away after two minutes, much as the shuttle boosters did. The core stage will continue to fire before detaching and fragmenting when it crashes into the Pacific.

A higher stage will launch the Orion spacecraft towards the moon two hours following lift-off.

The 386,000 km journey to the moon will take about a week. The capsule will enter a distant orbit with a far point of 61,000 kilometres, whizzing narrowly around the moon, reported AP.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasas-artemis-moon-mission-gets-green-signal-for-august-29-launch-509399">NASA's Artemis moon mission gets green signal for August 29 launch</a>

The only drawback is that before travelling to the moon, the starship will need to refuel at a fuel station in Earth's orbit.

By 2024, a second test flight will transport four humans around the moon and back.

NASA plans to launch four more around a year later, with two of them landing at the lunar south pole. Like NASA’s Apollo spacecraft, Orion lacks a built-in lunar lander, so the space agency worked with SpaceX to supply its Starship spaceship for the first Artemis moon landing.

Musk plans to launch a starship around Earth on SpaceX’s Super Heavy Booster.

(With inputs from agenices)

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NASA’s new moon rocket will make its debut next week in a risky test flight before astronauts reach the lunar surface. The 322-foot rocket will attempt to launch an empty crew capsule into lunar orbit, fifty years after NASA’s renowned Apollo moon shots.

NASA’s new moon rocket will make its debut next week in a risky test flight before astronauts reach the lunar surface. The 322-foot rocket will attempt to launch an empty crew capsule into lunar orbit, fifty years after NASA’s renowned Apollo moon shots. However, the six-week plan is dangerous. The space agency still hopes to put two people on the lunar surface by the end of the year 2025, but if things go as per plan, astronauts could strap in as early as 2024 for a trip around the moon. Also read | Watch: 45 years in space, NASA’s Voyager 2 continues its interstellar journey NASA administrator Bill Nelson said that if things go wrong for the Artemis programme, spiralling expenses and lengthy intervals between missions will make it difficult for the agency to make a comeback. Compared to the Saturn V rockets that launched 24 Apollo astronauts to the moon 50 years ago, the new rocket is shorter and leaner, but with 4 million kilogrammes of thrust, it is more powerful. The new rocket, in contrast to the Saturn V’s sleek design, includes two strap-on boosters. The rocket’s core stage will continue to fire before detaching and fragmenting when it crashes into the Pacific. A higher stage will launch the Orion spacecraft towards the moon in the two hours following lift-off. The boosters won’t be recovered from the Atlantic for reuse; instead, they will peel away after two minutes, much as the shuttle boosters did. The core stage will continue to fire before detaching and fragmenting when it crashes into the Pacific. A higher stage will launch the Orion spacecraft towards the moon two hours following lift-off. The 386,000 km journey to the moon will take about a week. The capsule will enter a distant orbit with a far point of 61,000 kilometres, whizzing narrowly around the moon, reported AP. Also read | NASA's Artemis moon mission gets green signal for August 29 launch The only drawback is that before travelling to the moon, the starship will need to refuel at a fuel station in Earth's orbit. By 2024, a second test flight will transport four humans around the moon and back. NASA plans to launch four more around a year later, with two of them landing at the lunar south pole. Like NASA’s Apollo spacecraft, Orion lacks a built-in lunar lander, so the space agency worked with SpaceX to supply its Starship spaceship for the first Artemis moon landing. Musk plans to launch a starship around Earth on SpaceX’s Super Heavy Booster. (With inputs from agenices)

NASA all set to test new moon rocket after 50 years. Here’s all you need to know

A popular sheep will soon be off to space, and while "it might be a small step for a human, it's a giant leap for lambkind". Shaun, the title character from the animated television series "Shaun the Sheep" has been selected as the first 'astronaut' abroad the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis 1&nbsp;lunar mission. The clever sheep who is known for his misadventures will soon be flying off - in plushie form. Later this month he will travel far beyond the moon aboard NASA's unmanned Orion spacecraft before coming back to Earth in just over a month.&nbsp;As per an ESA statement, this voyage will be managed from the ground and will only have a woolly specialist as a passenger rather than a human crew.

Watch |&nbsp;Moon, Mars &amp; Beyond: NASA to embark upon new lunar odyssey

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"This is an exciting time for Shaun and for us at ESA," said ESA’s Director for Human and Robotic Exploration Dr David Parker in a statement, adding, "We’re woolly very happy that he’s been selected for the mission and we understand that, although it might be a small step for a human, it’s a giant leap for lambkind".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/mission-to-moon-how-us-and-japan-plan-to-once-again-send-humans-to-the-lunar-surface-481528">Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface</a>

Shaun, who has a "keen passion for exploring", flew on the special Airbus 'Zero G' A310 aircraft&nbsp;which simulates the "weightlessness" conditions found in space on one of its parabolic flights.

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Shaun the Sheep in parabolic flight training. (Image credits: ESA)

Apparently, the mischievous sheep has undergone rigorous instruction which has been well documented, and in the run-up to launch, the ESA blog will publish a number of entries on this training.

Shaun's real-life space voyage has been organised by ESA in collaboration with Aardman, the animation company that created the stop-motion sheep.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/why-did-nasa-abort-important-artemis-mission-rocket-test-launch-with-just-29-seconds-left-on-clock-490930">Why did NASA abort important 'Artemis Mission' rocket test launch with just 29 seconds left on clock?</a>

Lucy Wendover, Marketing Director at Aardman says, “Aardman is excited to be joining ESA in making history by launching the first ‘sheep’ into space."

Calling the mission "a great honour for our woolly adventurer!" she said that Shaun is leading the way in lunar exploration. What better way to celebrate Shaun's debut TV series' 15th anniversary than by travelling farther than any sheep has ever gone, she added.

(With inputs from agencies)

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A popular sheep will soon be off to space, and while "it might be a small step for a human, it's a giant leap for lambkind". Shaun, the title character from the animated television series "Shaun the Sheep" has been selected as the first 'astronaut' abroad the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis 1 lunar mission.

A popular sheep will soon be off to space, and while "it might be a small step for a human, it's a giant leap for lambkind". Shaun, the title character from the animated television series "Shaun the Sheep" has been selected as the first 'astronaut' abroad the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and European Space Agency's (ESA) Artemis 1 lunar mission. The clever sheep who is known for his misadventures will soon be flying off - in plushie form. Later this month he will travel far beyond the moon aboard NASA's unmanned Orion spacecraft before coming back to Earth in just over a month. As per an ESA statement, this voyage will be managed from the ground and will only have a woolly specialist as a passenger rather than a human crew. Watch | Moon, Mars & Beyond: NASA to embark upon new lunar odyssey "This is an exciting time for Shaun and for us at ESA," said ESA’s Director for Human and Robotic Exploration Dr David Parker in a statement, adding, "We’re woolly very happy that he’s been selected for the mission and we understand that, although it might be a small step for a human, it’s a giant leap for lambkind". Also read | Mission to Moon: How US and Japan plan to once again send humans to the lunar surface Shaun, who has a "keen passion for exploring", flew on the special Airbus 'Zero G' A310 aircraft which simulates the "weightlessness" conditions found in space on one of its parabolic flights. Shaun the Sheep in parabolic flight training. (Image credits: ESA) Apparently, the mischievous sheep has undergone rigorous instruction which has been well documented, and in the run-up to launch, the ESA blog will publish a number of entries on this training. Shaun's real-life space voyage has been organised by ESA in collaboration with Aardman, the animation company that created the stop-motion sheep. Also read | Why did NASA abort important 'Artemis Mission' rocket test launch with just 29 seconds left on clock? Lucy Wendover, Marketing Director at Aardman says, “Aardman is excited to be joining ESA in making history by launching the first ‘sheep’ into space." Calling the mission "a great honour for our woolly adventurer!" she said that Shaun is leading the way in lunar exploration. What better way to celebrate Shaun's debut TV series' 15th anniversary than by travelling farther than any sheep has ever gone, she added. (With inputs from agencies) Watch WION LIVE HERE: You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

'A giant leap for lambkind': Shaun the Sheep will be ESA, NASA's first 'astronaut' to the Moon

NASA on Tuesday (April 19) announced that its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will be repaired after several failures in their tests.

Ahead of the uncrewed Artemis I lunar mission, the US space agency said that they both require upgrades as they have a faulty upper check valve and a small leak on the tail service of the mast's umbilical,&nbsp;located at the base of the mobile launcher and connects to the rocket’s core stage.

Although this delay has pushed the launch date for its uncrewed test flight to the Moon to later this summer, NASA will utilise this time period as an opportunity to review scheduled and options to demonstrate propellant loading operations.

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Paving the way for a long-term lunar presence, NASA will land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon through the Artemis missions. They are bound to serve as a stepping stone for sending astronauts to Mars.

"I think the early June window would be challenging," said Tom Whitmeyer, deputy associate administrator for common exploration systems development at NASA's headquarters in Washington.

NASA's recent "wet dress rehearsal" test was a failure as the researchers faced several technical hitches. The use of a liquid propellant in the test is the inspiration behind its name.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/nasa-to-beam-out-earths-location-into-space-experts-warn-that-it-just-might-invite-an-alien-invasion-472038" hreflang="en">NASA to beam out Earth's location into space. Experts warn that it just might invite an alien invasion!</a>

The test is essential as it includes the procedure of a run-through of launch operations. Without actually firing the engines, researchers perform a final countdown to within ten seconds before blast off.

The SLS will liftoff from the Kennedy Space Centre's Launch Complex 39B. The date of its launch depends on the positions of the Earth and Moon.&nbsp;

NASA astronauts want the spacecraft to fly in an eclipse since it requires the Sun to keep it powered and thermally regulated.

Since the Artemis space programme comprises of a series of missions, a delay in Artemis I will further postpone Artemis II and Artemis III.

(With inputs from agencies)

NASA on Tuesday (April 19) announced that its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will be repaired after several failures in their tests. Ahead of the uncrewed Artemis I lunar mission, the US space agency said that they both require upgrades as they have a faulty upper check valve and a small leak on the tail service of the mast's umbilical, located at the base of the mobile launcher and connects to the rocket’s core stage.

NASA on Tuesday (April 19) announced that its Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft will be repaired after several failures in their tests. Ahead of the uncrewed Artemis I lunar mission, the US space agency said that they both require upgrades as they have a faulty upper check valve and a small leak on the tail service of the mast's umbilical, located at the base of the mobile launcher and connects to the rocket’s core stage. Although this delay has pushed the launch date for its uncrewed test flight to the Moon to later this summer, NASA will utilise this time period as an opportunity to review scheduled and options to demonstrate propellant loading operations. Paving the way for a long-term lunar presence, NASA will land the first woman and first person of colour on the Moon through the Artemis missions. They are bound to serve as a stepping stone for sending astronauts to Mars. "I think the early June window would be challenging," said Tom Whitmeyer, deputy associate administrator for common exploration systems development at NASA's headquarters in Washington. NASA's recent "wet dress rehearsal" test was a failure as the researchers faced several technical hitches. The use of a liquid propellant in the test is the inspiration behind its name. Also read | NASA to beam out Earth's location into space. Experts warn that it just might invite an alien invasion! The test is essential as it includes the procedure of a run-through of launch operations. Without actually firing the engines, researchers perform a final countdown to within ten seconds before blast off. The SLS will liftoff from the Kennedy Space Centre's Launch Complex 39B. The date of its launch depends on the positions of the Earth and Moon. NASA astronauts want the spacecraft to fly in an eclipse since it requires the Sun to keep it powered and thermally regulated. Since the Artemis space programme comprises of a series of missions, a delay in Artemis I will further postpone Artemis II and Artemis III. (With inputs from agencies)

NASA's Space Launch System rocket will be repaired after failure in tests