science News

The Artemis II astronauts, including commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, are currently en route to the moon, having left Earth on April 2, 2026. They are set to perform a flyby of the lunar far side on April 3, 2026, which will mark a new distance record of over 248,655 miles, surpassing Apollo 13's record.

NASA's Artemis II mission achieved a significant milestone on April 3, 2026, as astronauts fired their engines 25 hours after liftoff, setting a course for a lunar fly-around. The crew, consisting of three Americans and one Canadian, is now on track to travel nearly 250,000 miles to the moon.

NASA's Artemis II mission marks the first time humans have left Earth's orbit since 1972. The crew, consisting of Commander Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen, is on a 10-day journey that will take them up to 252,799 miles (406,840 km) from Earth, surpassing the Apollo 13 record of 248,655 miles set in 1970.

NASA astronaut Victor Glover stated that his participation in the Artemis II mission should be viewed as a part of 'human history' rather than a racial milestone. During a press event on March 29, 2026, he expressed hope that future achievements would not be categorized by 'firsts' related to race or gender.

Researchers have found indirect evidence supporting the existence of ultra-powerful supernovae, which may leave no remnants behind, such as neutron stars or black holes. These supernovae are theorized to occur in stars with masses between 140 and 260 times that of the sun.

The Orion spacecraft is currently carrying four astronauts on a 10-day mission to the moon. Among them is Christina Koch, the first woman to venture into deep space, who likened the preparation for the journey to planning a camping trip.

Researchers in Hawaiʻi have identified 10 new moth species and seven new genera, underscoring the significant gaps in knowledge about the region's biodiversity. Study co-author Daniel Rubinoff noted that finding a new genus is rare and reflects the limited understanding of Hawaii's fauna.

Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a new cooking method for french fries that combines traditional frying with microwave heating, significantly reducing oil absorption. This innovative approach aims to lower fat content while maintaining the fries' taste and texture.

Elon Musk announced plans for SpaceX to establish data centers in orbit, citing advantages like constant sunlight for power generation. Musk believes costs for deploying AI in space could fall below terrestrial options within two to three years.

SpaceX's Starship may significantly reduce travel time to Uranus, potentially cutting it to about six and a half years, as opposed to over a decade with current mission plans. This reduction is achievable through in-space refueling and using Starship as a braking shield during atmospheric entry.