{"id":594100,"date":"2026-04-08T20:17:31","date_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/594100\/"},"modified":"2026-04-08T20:17:31","modified_gmt":"2026-04-08T20:17:31","slug":"artemis-ii-reveals-life-in-space-is-even-weirder-than-we-thought-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/594100\/","title":{"rendered":"Artemis II reveals life in space is even weirder than we thought"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n The Orion spacecraft<\/a> may only be the size of two minivans on the inside \u2014 but for the Artemis II astronauts, the capsule taking them to the vicinity of the moon has already proved to be larger than life.\n <\/p>\n

\n As the backdrop of many unforgettable moments of life on board, including the quirky and the breathtaking, the spacecraft \u2014 nicknamed Integrity by NASA\u2019s Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and the Canadian Space Agency\u2019s Jeremy Hansen \u2014 is becoming its own character in the story of humanity\u2019s return to the moon for the first time in more than half a century.\n <\/p>\n

\n The crew capsule is vastly improved compared with its Apollo equivalent, the Command Module, with about 60% more habitable space and amenities such as a toilet and exercise machine.\n <\/p>\n

\"(From<\/p>\n

\n But even with 50 years of more advanced technology factored in, the spacecraft is still essentially a basic habitat that\u2019s designed with efficiency, not comfort, in mind.\n <\/p>\n

\n Luckily, we\u2019re able to witness quite a bit of what happens onboard, as the spacecraft is equipped with 32 camera and devices, 15 of which are mounted on the capsule itself, and 17 of which are handheld and operated by the crew.\n <\/p>\n

\n Once Orion reached Earth orbit after launch, two of the crew seats, as well as the footholds of the other two seats, were stowed away and will remain that way until reentry at the mission\u2019s end. This gives the crew a bit more space, but it doesn\u2019t make the interior of the capsule less cluttered, with wires, screens, instruments, cupboards and a multitude of Velcro-equipped pockets and bags to keep stuff from flying around.\n <\/p>\n

\"Artemis<\/p>\n

\n Forget the aesthetics of \u201c2001: A Space Odyssey\u201d \u2014 Orion looks more like a mad scientist\u2019s lab than a sci-fi living quarter. Specially designed sleeping bags hang across the walls for the astronauts to strap into when it\u2019s time for some shut-eye.\n <\/p>\n

\n But in space, there is no up and down \u2014 nor a floor and a ceiling, for that matter \u2014 to dictate exactly how you should spend your downtime.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cChristina has been sleeping heads down in the middle of the vehicle, kind of like a bat suspended from our docking tunnel,\u201d Commander Wiseman said on Thursday. \u201cVictor has a nice little nook wedged in there. And then Jeremy has been stretched out on seat one, and I\u2019ve been sleeping under the displays, just in case anything goes wrong. Every time I was dozing off last night, I had that image that I was tripping off a curb and I was waking myself up. So my body is getting reacclimated.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n Surprisingly, the astronauts are enjoying the suspended sleeping arrangements. \u201cWell, we do love sleeping up here,\u201d Koch said. \u201cMost of us have been sleeping really well. For me, sleeping in space is one of the most comfortable ways to sleep, and it\u2019s very deep, full sleep.\n <\/p>\n

\n When it\u2019s time to wake up, following a tradition that dates back to the Apollo program, mission control plays a song from a selection compiled by the crew. But sometimes, the song stops too soon, like when \u201cPink Pony Club\u201d by Chappell Roan was playing. \u201cWe were all eagerly awaiting the chorus,\u201d a slightly disgruntled Wiseman said.\n <\/p>\n

The Artemis 2 crew is officially awake onboard Orion \u2018Integrity.\u2019 Their song of choice this morning? \u201cPink Pony Club\u201d by @ChappellRoan<\/a>.<\/p>\n

However, the DJ at Mission Control Center Houston didn\u2019t quite let it get to the crew\u2019s favorite part of the song.<\/p>\n

Watch\/listen: pic.twitter.com\/CHP05LrS00<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Spaceflight Now (@SpaceflightNow) April 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\n It turns out the temperature inside Orion is quite chilly \u2014 so much so that Glover said he wished they had brought different sleeping bags with them. During the first couple of days, mission control worked with the crew to warm up the cabin.\n <\/p>\n

\n However, the sun is shining upon the spacecraft with such might that on mission Day 3, controllers got worried that the windows were heating up too much.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cWe have a small request,\u201d they told the crew, \u201cwe\u2019re getting the sun on the window shades, and we\u2019re worried about them heating up too much. Please remove the windows shades \u2014 we understand that will make it awfully bright for you guys, and we want to encourage you to use a T-shirt in the cabin or something similar to block the sunlight. That will help with the temperature on the windows.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\"Earth<\/p>\n

\n And speaking of windows, Wiseman said that the windows of Orion are already dirty because the crew enjoyed looking out of them so much. He then asked mission control for the procedures to clean them.\n <\/p>\n

\n The toilet aboard Orion might well be considered a luxury \u2014 Apollo astronauts did not have one. But the system started showing signs of trouble<\/a> shortly into the flight and eventually malfunctioned as flight Day 3 was winding down. This meant that only solid waste could be deposited into the commode.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cIt\u2019s an issue with dumping the waste out of the toilet,\u201d Artemis II Flight Director Judd Frieling told reporters Saturday morning. \u201cAnd so it appears to me that we probably have some frozen urine in the vent line.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n To fix the issue, the spacecraft was oriented toward the sun to melt the clogging ice, and eventually the toilet was fixed. \u201cBreaking news,\u201d mission control\u2019s capsule communicator Jacki Mahaffey told the crew. \u201cYou are go for all types of use of the toilet.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cAnd the crew rejoices!\u201d Koch replied. \u201cThank you!\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\"orion_interior.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Orion crew dumps its wastewater on camera\n <\/p>\n

\"orion_interior.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Orion crew dumps its wastewater on camera<\/p>\n

0:54 <\/p>\n

\n Not everything about the onboard toilet was ugly, however: The venting of urine outside the capsule was a moment Koch showed on camera earlier in the mission. The pee trickles by like glowing gems in the vacuum of space.\n <\/p>\n

\n There was a viral moment on social media on Friday night when, after an exercise session, Glover took his shirt off to \u201cshower\u201d with wipes. While no actual showers are possible, each astronaut has a personal kit including no-rinse shampoo, baby wipes, toothbrushes and shaving accessories.\n <\/p>\n

\n NASA cut the feed at first, but when the astronauts said they were OK with it being broadcast, the livestream from inside the capsule, including a shirtless Glover, continued.\n <\/p>\n

\"orion_crew_shower.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Astronaut’s space ‘shower’ prompts question from mission control\n <\/p>\n

\"orion_crew_shower.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Astronaut’s space ‘shower’ prompts question from mission control<\/p>\n

1:02 <\/p>\n

\n Among the tasks the crew tackles upon waking up each day is spitting into a tube.\n <\/p>\n

\n This part of the daily routine is part of an immunology study<\/a> to analyze the changes in human physiology in space. The saliva samples are collected before the astronauts brush their teeth or exercise, and the collection process involves \u201cblotting saliva onto special paper stored in pocket-sized booklets,\u201d according to NASA.\n <\/p>\n

\n The collection method is necessary due to the absence of a refrigerator onboard, preventing liquid samples from being stored. The program aims to ensure that humans can thrive in space by investigating what effects space travel can have on our bodies.\n <\/p>\n

\n Orion lacks a fridge, but space food experts have worked with the Artemis II astronauts to provide a tasty variety of shelf-stable meals that will power the crew through the 10-day mission.\n <\/p>\n

\n The crew has access to a whopping 189 menu items<\/a> that need to be rehydrated \u2014 shrimp cocktail in a bag, anyone<\/a>? Other options include\ufeff barbecued beef brisket, broccoli au gratin, vegetable quiche, couscous with nuts, mango salad, spicy green beans, and macaroni and cheese.\n <\/p>\n

Don’t worry: space has mac and cheese. <\/p>\n

Food aboard Orion must be easy to prepare and consume in microgravity, minimize crumbs, and remain safe and stable throughout the mission. The crew provided input well before the meals were packed for the test flight. pic.twitter.com\/FLDaK9owYq<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NASA Artemis (@NASAArtemis) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\n Among the luxuries are a briefcase-size food warmer to make mealtime a little more comforting \u2014 as well as sweet treats like cake, pudding, cobbler, cookies, chocolate and candy-coated almonds.\n <\/p>\n

\n In addition to an ambient-temperature water from a dispenser, the astronauts can sip on fruit juices, coffee, tea, smoothies and chocolate breakfast drinks.\n <\/p>\n

\n The Artemis II astronauts have a jam-packed schedule, but they made time for a traditional Easter egg hunt on Sunday, except it was \u201cdehydrated scrambled eggs\u201d that were hidden around the cabin.\n <\/p>\n

\n One perk of microgravity? Some treats items may literally be available to grab as they float through the cabin \u2014 like a jar of Nutella spread that was seen flying by during the live stream.\n <\/p>\n

\"118629_NutellaSpace<\/p>\n

Nutella goes viral in deep space\n <\/p>\n

\"118629_NutellaSpace<\/p>\n

Nutella goes viral in deep space<\/p>\n

0:26 <\/p>\n

\n But here\u2019s one big limitation: Nothing that can crumble is on the menu, as crumbs are a big no-no in space. As discovered during the Apollo program when astronauts tried to eat sandwiches in space, crumbs from bread can fly around in the absence of gravity and end up in astronauts\u2019 eyes or lungs and get stuck inside equipment, causing damage. So the crew will munch on tortillas and wheat flatbread to prevent a crumb-causing catastrophe.\n <\/p>\n

\n On the first day of the mission, the crew encountered technical problems with the personal computing devices or PCD, prompting Wiseman to utter a quote that has become a meme: \u201cI have two Microsoft Outlooks and neither one is working,\u201d he said.\n <\/p>\n

\"NASA<\/p>\n

\n Later in the mission, it was Koch\u2019s turn to experience IT drama. \u201cNo joy seeing the device in the list of available devices when I attempt to repair it after doing the Bluetooth forget,\u201d she said.\n <\/p>\n

\n Some things never change whether you\u2019re on Earth or in space.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cThere are no words,\u201d says the caption in Wiseman\u2019s first social media post during the mission, showing a breathtaking view of Earth from Orion.\n <\/p>\n

There are no words. pic.twitter.com\/W7JRAN8JeJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Reid Wiseman (@astro_reid) April 5, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

\n The astronauts aren\u2019t directly posting on social media, but they have handed over their accounts to NASA for posting on their behalf. However, the crew is busy taking some of the most spectacular space photographs we\u2019ve ever seen.\n <\/p>\n

\n Koch commented on the \u201cphenomenal views\u201d of Earth, detailing rivers and thunderclouds that were highlighted by the setting sun. \u201cYou guys look great,\u201d she said, referring to Earth.\n <\/p>\n

\n As astronauts got closer to the flyby of the moon, they could already see our planet\u2019s satellite in unprecedented detail. \u201cThe moon we\u2019re looking at is not the moon you see from Earth whatsoever \u2014 you can actually see the terrain,\u201d Koch said.\n <\/p>\n

\"Earth<\/p>\n

In pictures: The historic Artemis II moon mission<\/p>\n

\n \u201cNothing prepares you for the breathtaking aspect of seeing your home planet both lit up bright as day and also the moon glow on it at night, with the beautiful beam of the sunset. And knowing that we\u2019re going to get similar views of the moon, I\u2019m just, I\u2019m really excited for that,\u201d she added.\n <\/p>\n

\n The views during the lunar flyby that the astronauts captured at their closest point to the moon led to several truly emotional moments for the crew. \u201cAfter all of the amazing sites that we we saw earlier, we just went sci-fi,\u201d Glover said. \u201cYou can actually see a majority of the moon. It is the strangest looking thing that you can see so much on the surface.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n At the end of the flyby, the astronauts got to experience a solar eclipse, during which they reported seeing streamers in the sun\u2019s outer atmosphere, or solar corona, visible around the moon. Glover described the streamers as looking like \u201cbaby hair.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cIf you\u2019ve ever seen the spotlight off the top of the Luxor at night in Las Vegas,\u201d he continued, \u201cthis looks like what that wants to be when it grows up.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n The response from mission control was \u201cGlad to hear you\u2019re following your training of \u2018tell it like you see it!\u2019\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n The incredible views seem to be making all of the hard work that has led to the mission, and the sacrifices that come with it, well worth it. \u201cWe feel very well taken care of. They thought of everything,\u201d Koch said.\n <\/p>\n

\n There have undoubtedly been more emotional moments on board, but most remain private; the calls between the astronauts and their families are not broadcasted.\n <\/p>\n

\n \u201cThis morning, when my two daughters came on, and it was just the three of us talking, it was surreal,\u201d revealed Wiseman about his first such call. \u201cWe\u2019re up here, we\u2019re far away, and for a moment, I was reunited with my little family, and it was just the greatest moment of my entire life.\u201d\n <\/p>\n

\n NASA\u2019s Artemis program is sending humans into deep space for the first time in more than five decades. Sign up for Countdown newsletter<\/a> and get updates from CNN Science on out-of-this-world expeditions as they unfold.\n<\/p>\n