Astro Hawk (Ian Kluft) ✅🚀🛰️Countdown holding at T-10 minutes for various readings that need another look. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
Pre-launch poll of directors is "go", T-10 minutes and counting: ground launch system computer takes over for terminal count. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+01:10 Now beyond the point of maximum dynamic pressure "Max Q". #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+8 minutes several sequential events: SLS core stage main engine cutoff and stage separation. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
Now in Earth orbit, coasting up to higher altitude before next rocket burns which will raise perigee (low point of the orbit) and then apogee (high point of the orbit). Next: solar panels will deploy at T+20. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
The fast-paced part of the flight is done and appeared nominal (good). After solar panel deployment and two rocket burns to stabilize in high Earth orbit, they'll assess the readiness of the spacecraft to proceed to the Moon. Watch for the "translunar injection burn" TLI (rocket firing) after T plus one day 1 hour for leaving Earth orbit on a trajectory to circle the Moon. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+20:00 Orion solar arrays deployed. This was a necessary test that had to pass in order to continue the mission. (animation erroneously depicts rocket engine firing - it is in coast) #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
"NASA launches 4 astronauts to the moon on historic Artemis 2 voyage, a lunar leap for the 21st century" by @Spacecom - For the first time in over 50 years, astronauts launch on the way to the Moon. https://www.space.com/space-exploration/artemis/nasa-launches-4-astronauts-to-the-moon-on-historic-artemis-2-voyage-a-lunar-leap-for-the-21st-century #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
T+49 minutes: perigee raise maneuver (1381×115 statute miles) - entry to safe orbit. NASA is concluding the NASA+ stream coverage but continues on YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m3kR2KK8TEs #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
A little orbital dynamics for those interested in the #NASA #Artemis2 mission:
To raise the perigee (low point) of an orbit, the rockets have to be fired at apogee (high point). That part is done.
Conversely, to raise the apogee (high point), rockets are fired at perigee (low point). That's coming up.
#Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
To raise the perigee (low point) of an orbit, the rockets have to be fired at apogee (high point). That part is done.
Conversely, to raise the apogee (high point), rockets are fired at perigee (low point). That's coming up.
#Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
Views of Earth sent down from Orion as #NASA #Artemis2 approaches the second orbit-raising maneuver when it reaches perigee. #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
"‘Let’s go!’ NASA launches humanity’s first moon voyage in nearly 54 years" by GeekWire / @AlanBoyle - Successful launch of #SLS🚀 & #Orion so far to high Earth orbit. Comparisons made to Apollo 8 of 1968 which tested the Apollo systems around the Moon. This flight will fly around the Moon at a greater distance which means moving more slowly around it. https://www.geekwire.com/2026/nasa-countdown-artemis-moon-2/ #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #space
#NASA #Artemis2 post-launch news conference just concluded. No surprises but plenty of additional details. Statements from managers and answers to questions from reporters will fuel many news articles this evening. #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #SLS🚀 #Orion #space
"Artemis II Flight Update: Apogee Raise Burn Complete, Crew Looks Ahead to Proximity Operations" by #NASA #Artemis - Second orbit-raising maneuver complete. "Blinking fault light" on the toilet is being worked on. Preparation for "proximity operations" after detaching from 2nd stage, testing maneuverability of Orion as if the stage is a docking target like a future lander. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/01/artemis-ii-flight-update-apogee-raise-burn-complete-crew-looks-ahead-to-proximity-operations/ #Artemis2 #Moon🌕️️️️️ #Orion #space
"Artemis II Flight Day 2: Crew, Houston Poll ‘Go’ for Translunar Injection Burn" by #NASA #Artemis - TLI burn scheduled 7:49pm Eastern/4:49pm Pacific and will last 5min 49sec. Once complete, the speed and direction (trajectory) commits the spacecraft to fly by the Moon. No turning back until the gravity of the Moon turns it around. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/02/artemis-ii-flight-day-2-crew-houston-poll-go-for-translunar-injection-burn/ #Artemis2 #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
Translunar Injection #TLI burn complete. NASA mission coverage reports "looks like a good burn". This positions Orion to fly by the Moon and return to Earth without an additional de-orbit burn. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️ #Orion #space
"Orion moonship fires up its engines to leave Earth behind" by @cosmiclog / @alanboyle - #NASA #Artemis2 highlight of flight day 1 was translunar injection #TLI rocket burn to add speed to leave Earth orbit & fly around the Moon. Problems fixed including a pump on the space toilet that needed water. Alan linked to an article he wrote 13 years ago as NBC Science Editor on how Apollo 10 showed NASA's need for a real toilet. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/04/02/orion-moonship-fires-up-its-engines-to-leave-earth-behind/ #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕️️ #Orion #space
"Hello, World" by #NASA #Artemis - photo📷 by #Artemis2 commander Reid Wiseman🧑🚀 after translunar injection #TLI burn, showing Earth's night side viewed from over the Atlantic near 0°N latitude 0°E longitude, eclipsing the Sun and lit by the nearly-full Moon. Green aurora are at both the north and south. Zodiacal light (dust reflecting sunlight along the solar system's plane) behind the Earth on lower right from this view. https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/hello-world/ #Moon🌖 #Orion #space #astronomy #astrophotography
"Moon-bound astronauts capture glorious views of Earth" by @cosmiclog / @alanboyle - Photos by #NASA #Artemis2 astronauts are delivering on #spacegeek expectations and everyone's sense of wonder from the views they have up there, currently on the way to the Moon. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/04/03/moon-bound-astronauts-capture-glorious-views-of-earth/ #Artemis #Moon🌕️️️️ #Orion #space
"Artemis II Flight Day 4: Deep-Space Flying, Lunar Flyby Prep" by #NASA #Artemis - Astronauts in their role as test pilots did some maneuvers in deep space to test handling qualities of the spacecraft for better training of future crews. Preparation for Monday's busy timeline of 6 hours of closest pass to the Moon. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/04/artemis-ii-flight-day-4-deep-space-flying-lunar-flyby-prep/ #Artemis2 #Moon🌕️️️️ #Orion #space
"Orion crosses the halfway point in journey to the moon" by @cosmiclog / @alanboyle - #NASA #Artemis2 status at half way to the Moon includes more manual piloting tasks for training future crews on spacecraft handling qualities. The crew reported that the Moon's appearance changed enough with part of the far side coming into view that they notice it's different from our familiar view of the Moon from Earth. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/04/04/orion-crosses-the-halfway-point-in-journey-to-the-moon/ #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
"Artemis II astronauts will be the first humans to get a full view this strange bullseye on the far side of the Moon" by BBC Sky at Night @skyatnightmag - The massive multi-ring impact basin Mare Orientale is mostly obscured from Earth. It was in darkness on all Apollo flights, preferring full moon (sunlight on the side facing Earth) out of caution. It has been imaged by robotic probes. Monday is first time seen by Human eyes. https://www.skyatnightmagazine.com/space-missions/artemis-ii-astronauts-mare-orientale #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
"How to watch the Artemis crew fly around the moon" by @cosmiclog / @alanboyle - Timeline of today's lunar fly-by events (listed in US Pacific Time). There are many streaming services offering live video - but NASA Plus is the primary source. https://cosmiclog.com/2026/04/05/how-to-watch-the-artemis-crew-fly-around-the-moon/ #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
Heard on the #NASA #Artemis2 coverage: understandably tearful words from commander Reid Wiseman requesting an unnamed crater in their view to be named after his late wife Carroll. Also requested another crater in view to be named for their spacecraft Integrity. After a brief pause, the crew returned to science objectives of the lunar fly-by. #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
"Artemis II Flight Day 6: Crew Ready for Lunar Flyby" by #NASA #Artemis - A message recorded by Apollo 8 astronaut and Apollo 13 commander Jim Lovell before his passing in 2025 was played to the #Artemis2 crew after waking up for lunar fly-by day. As he intended, the torch has been passed. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/06/artemis-ii-flight-day-6-crew-ready-for-lunar-flyby/ #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
Heard on #NASA #Artemis2 coverage: astronaut Christina Koch observed small newer craters look "so bright compared to the rest of the Moon." The spacecraft internal lighting was turned off to help their eyes adjust better to dim reflected light of the Moon for observations. #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
Heard on #NASA #Artemis2 coverage: #NASA #Artemis2 pilot (second in command) Vic Glover describes how impressed he was with dramatically steep terrain he could see through camera optics on crater walls on the surface of the Moon. They're over 4000mi/6400km from the Moon. I've never been to enough altitude to see any terrain 4000 miles away. From an airliner at 40,000ft/12,000m altitude, in clear weather the horizon is 250mi/400km away. I want to see their pictures! #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
"NASA’s Moon ship and rocket seem to be working well, so what about the landers?" by @arstechnica / @sciguyspace - #NASA #Artemis leader Lori Glaze interviewed, but doesn't have a lot of new details about lander plans from SpaceX and Blue Origin until they make them public. Current goal is 2027 Artemis 3 lander flight test in Earth orbit and 2028 Artemis 4 lunar landing. https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/04/nasas-moon-ship-and-rocket-seem-to-be-working-well-so-what-about-the-landers/ #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
"Cabin is full of excitement" reports Canadian🇨🇦 astronaut Jeremy Hansen as the crew prepares for loss of signal for ~40 minutes as #NASA #Artemis2 flies behind the Moon. Capcom reminds the crew to watch for "impact flashes", meteor impacts on the lunar surface on the dark side (away from the Sun). #Artemis #Moon🌕 #Orion #space
Integrity is in expected loss of signal behind the Moon for 40 minutes. Humans have not been in LOS behind the Moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
AOS (acquisition of signal) confirmed. During the LOS (loss of signal) period, Integrity got to the closest point to the Moon and farthest from Earth for the mission. This marks the beginning of the journey home, planned for Friday splashdown in the Pacific off California. (In the image, the Moon is dark and doesn't display well, but is now to the right of the Earth in this view.) #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
#NASA #Artemis2 is taking observations of a 57-minute total solar eclipse as the spacecraft flies through the shadow of the Moon. We can't see this eclipse from Earth but the shadow of the Moon is always out there in space. Unlike a solar eclipse viewed from Earth, they are close to the Moon so it appears much larger than the Sun in their perspective. Without Earth's atmosphere around them, there is potential for very clear view of the solar corona during totality. #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
#NASA #Artemis2 crew reports an experience which should sound familiar to anyone who has ventured to see a total solar eclipse: they can see features they can't adequately capture with the cameras. Not just the solar corona but also "Earthshine" (sunlight reflected off Earth on the dark side of the Moon) illuminating the portion of the Moon that faces the Earth. As with eclipse-watchers on Earth, just take the best pictures you can! 📷 (They know that.) #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
When asked by the science team, Wiseman and Hansen each reported seeing two impact flashes on the dark side of the Moon, so far. Those are actual meteoroid impacts. The smaller they are the more likely and often they occur, more or less constantly somewhere on the Moon for tiny ones, as often as shooting stars on Earth. #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
Solar eclipse totality ends for the #NASA #Artemis2 crew - mission control reminded them to use eclipse glasses again. #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
"Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record with daring moon flyby that included a solar eclipse" by @AssociatedPress / Marcia Dunn - It was the big day for #NASA #Artemis2, apparently a complete success. Science📷 objectives achieved. Equipment worked. The crew sometimes got emotional trying to describe the beautiful views of lunar terrain, a total solar eclipse and Earthshine lighting the Moon. From the shadow, Mars🔴 was bright orange. https://apnews.com/article/artemis-moon-nasa-lunar-flyby-fac19b4b1676af2717adafa992f32be4 #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
Artemis II completes record-breaking trip around the moon after surpassing milestone
The Artemis II astronauts have completed their record-breaking trip around the moon. Monday’s lunar journey comes after Artemis II surpassed Apollo 13’s distance record. During the flyby, the three Americans and one Canadian were treated to never-before-seen views of the moon’s far side by eye and also a solar eclipse. The crew temporarily lost contact with Mission Control as they swung behind the moon without stopping. They’re now on a path back toward Earth with a splashdown return set for Friday. More activities are planned before then including a phone call with the International Space Station.
"‘Moon joy!’ Artemis 2’s crew sets a distance record, documents lunar far side and heads back toward Earth" by GeekWire / @alanboyle - Science, emotions and lots of photography punctuated moments across 7 hours of lunar observations on the much anticipated fly-by. The science team on the ground told the astronauts they coined the term #MoonJoy for the extraordinary day. https://www.geekwire.com/2026/moon-joy-artemis-2-distance-record/ #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
"Artemis II astronauts channel Apollo 8 with a striking Earthset photo" by @AssociatedPress / Marcia Dunn - High resolution lunar images from #NASA #Artemis2 include an "Earthset" view as the crescent Earth set behind the Moon on Monday's fly-by. That rise & set view is now much anticipated, but was first captured by total surprise on Apollo 8 in 1968. Since Apollo 8, going to the Moon always includes a unique perspective of Earth. https://apnews.com/article/nasa-artemis-moon-astronauts-earthset-5ca505933a4c22e6859f15cc100858b6 #MoonJoy #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
Artemis II's Earthset photo channels Apollo 8's Earthrise shot
The Artemis II astronauts are now forever intertwined with Apollo 8. A day after the historic lunar flyaround, NASA on Tuesday released striking photos taken by the crew. The four astronauts channeled Apollo 8's famous Earthrise shot from 1968 with a powerful photo of Earth setting behind the gray, pockmarked moon. Another image captures the total solar eclipse that occurred when the moon blocked the sun from the crew's perspective. The three Americans and one Canadian are now headed home, with a splashdown in the Pacific set for Friday.
The Apollo 8 astronaut who took the original "Earthrise" photo in 1968, USAF Major General William "Bill" Anders, made an Apollo 8 section at his Heritage Flight Museum at Skagit Airport #KBVS in Burlington WA. I visited in Dec 2023 and posted about the Earthrise exhibit there. It was that view that gave rise to the concept of the "Overview Effect", seeing Earth as all we have: our fragile home planet in need of our protection. https://avgeek.social/@ikluft/111513163117540568 #NASA #space #history #aviation #avgeek #PNW
Ian Kluft ✅✈️🎈🌋 (@[email protected])
Attached: 2 images "Don't take that. It's not scheduled." 🤣 exhibit at HFM recalls #NASA #Apollo8 crew surprised at beauty of Earth rising from behind the #Moon. While astronauts get a unique view, images including Earthrise expose us all to the Overview Effect, how small Earth is in #space. #history
#NASA #Artemis2 update for Flight Day 7 included highlight photos of Earthset and the solar eclipse view with the solar corona providing contrast for the outline of the Moon. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/07/artemis-ii-flight-day-7-crew-makes-long%e2%80%91distance-call-begins-return/ #MoonJoy #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
This solar eclipse image from #NASA #Artemis2 makes me think it could become the next big space tourism destination. (At least initially it would just be a billionaire thing. But they already do space flights.) Made-to-order total solar eclipse: just travel to the Moon's shadow. It's always there waiting for you. #MoonJoy #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space #travel
"Artemis II Flight Day 9: Crew Prepares to Come Home" by #NASA #Artemis - Crew of #Artemis2 are preparing the spacecraft for re-entry and splashdown on Friday in the Pacific off San Diego, California. Splashdown time 17:07 Friday (US/Pacific Time) / 00:07 Saturday UTC. NASA+ streaming coverage begins ~90 minutes before at 15:30 Pacific/22:30 UTC. https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2026/04/09/artemis-ii-flight-day-9-crew-prepares-to-come-home/ #MoonJoy #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
"Artemis 2’s trip around the moon enters the home stretch — here’s how to watch the splashdown" by GeekWire / @alanboyle - Timeline in US/Pacific time to splashdown at 5:07pm Pacific / 00:07 UTC in the Pacific off San Diego. https://www.geekwire.com/2026/artemis-2-moon-watch-splashdown/ #NASA #Artemis #MoonJoy #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
Talking with Australian friend @Leighton as we watch the #NASA #Artemis2 coverage... Controllers polled were "go" for entry. We both wondered how that conversation would have gone if any controllers had not been "go". There is no option to change trajectory to prevent re-entry now. #Artemis #MoonJoy #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
If you're wondering what's taking so long to get the crew out of the Orion spacecraft... The thruster propellants are very toxic. So the initial approach by US Navy crews trained for this came with full hazmat covering and air sensors to make sure it was safe first. Now it's safe and they've pulled alongside the craft. #NASA #Artemis2 #MoonJoy
"Artemis II astronauts return from moon with a splashdown to close out a record-breaking lunar voyage" by @AssociatedPress / Marcia Dunn - #NASA #Artemis2 successful splashdown makes the first crewed Moon mission of the 21st Century a success. https://apnews.com/article/nasa-artemis-astronauts-moon-splashdown-16adc5450f0127a0743292ef30b239f1 #Artemis #MoonJoy #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
Artemis II astronauts are home after a record-breaking moon mission
The first astronauts to visit the moon in more than a half-century are back on Earth. Artemis II’s crew of four have emerged one-by-one from their lunar capsule Friday after a splashdown in the Pacific. The three Americans and one Canadian set a distance record for space travel during their lunar flyby, surpassing NASA’s Apollo 13. Artemis II’s astronauts didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. Instead, they ducked behind the moon’s far side and captured views never before seen by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. A finicky toilet seems to have been their biggest problem in space.
In the post-flight press conference, one question asked the panel what was "the Wow moment" for each of them. They varied from launch to splashdown, unsurprisingly each picking their area of responsibility. For me, I say the total solar eclipse image from 4000mi/6400km behind the Moon was the biggest Wow moment. What was yours? #MoonJoy #NASA #Artemis2 #Artemis #Moon🌖 #Orion #space
"Artemis II’s moon-traveling astronauts return home to cheers after a record-breaking trip" by @AssociatedPress / Marcia Dunn - After being flown back home to Houston (where all active NASA & Canadian astronauts are stationed), a welcome home event was held by #NASA for the four #Artemis2 crew in a hangar packed with seating at Ellington Airport #KEFD. https://apnews.com/article/artemis-astronauts-moon-flyby-splashdown-1fe7e0f38a9dd506945a4e508abb402d #MoonJoy #Artemis #Moon🌖 #space
Artemis II astronauts return to Houston home base after moon flyby
Artemis II's moon-traveling astronauts are back home and feted to a thunderous welcome. Still marveling over their record-breaking lunar fly-around, the crew of four flew to Houston's Ellington Field from San Diego on Saturday afternoon. After a quick reunion with their families, the astronauts took the stage, surrounded by hundreds who took part in NASA's historic lunar comeback. The three Americans and one Canadian splashed down in the Pacific on Friday. During their nearly 10-day mission, they voyaged deeper into space than the Apollo explorers decades ago and captured views of the lunar far side never witnessed before by human eyes.
#NASA #Artemis2 was in flight for 9 days 1½ hours. It's remarkable the astronauts were able to walk after splashdown. It speaks volumes on the wisdom of requiring astronauts to use exercise equipment on space flights. After a flight 1 hour shorter, Voyager's famous December 1986 first non-stop unrefueled airplane flight around the world, Dick Rutan & Jeana Yeager needed help to walk after landing at Edwards AFB. https://airandspace.si.edu/collection-objects/rutan-voyager/nasm_A19880548000 #aviation #avgeek #history #Artemis #Moon🌖 #space #spacegeek
Nevar23@AstroHawk Thanks for the explanation!
Winchell Chung ⚛🚀Agreed. The thruster propellants are typically something like Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine aka "explosive cancer"
@nyrath I've heard it described as "so toxic that if you smell it you've already got a lethal dose." So, yeah, hazmat suits...
Andrew@AstroHawk @nyrath I remember an anecdote about Agena where they were required by policy to have the vehicle checked for leaks by a “calibrated sniffer”.
Brian Vastag@AstroHawk You might remember that a Japanese artist booked a moon trip on SpaceX and then asked for a refund when Elon couldn't deliver.
@brianvastag I remember. The fact that a billionaire had already started on such a plan made the idea a bit more plausible. There were a bunch of people selected to come along on that journey who had their dreams granted for a time, and then dashed when it was cancelled without warning.
Frank 🛰️🛩️🪂⛵🛵🎿🔭@AstroHawk Seen so often in animations and Scify... but this time: it's not! 🤩
Wayne Smith@AstroHawk and celebrated in Steven Wilson's 2025 album The Overview!
GinevraCat@AstroHawk @AssociatedPress New Desktop Background just dropped!
Beautiful.
Charles J Gervasi ⚡🛡️🥥@AstroHawk @AssociatedPress Any travel by rocket is daring, more so beyond LEO, but was there anything particularly daring about the flyby itself?
@cgervasi Who says it has to be daring? They have a new spacecraft that needs flight testing before future Moon landing crews use it. Test a few things at a time: Orion must not be new any more on the landing mission. The science teams also wanted human observation to help gauge the robotic data from the Moon over the past 50 years. Eyes are better than cameras. During Apollo, the Cold War pushed us to go before the tech was ready. Apollo 1 & 13 demonstrated how thin safety margins were.
@AstroHawk The headine is "Artemis II breaks Apollo 13’s distance record with daring moon flyby"
@cgervasi They only have a few words to use on headlines. With what it accomplished, Artemis 2 can be called daring. But they also made much better mitigation of risks than previous lunar missions. So you may need to dial down expectations if you wanted a sequel to "The Right Stuff".
I've met the author Marcia Dunn a couple times. She is a pro as a space journalist. I was privileged when she interviewed me in Mesquite TX in April 2024 before the solar eclipse. https://spacey.space/@AstroHawk/112231193378607141
Astro Hawk (Ian Kluft) ✅🚀🛰️ (@[email protected])
Attached: 1 image I have arrived in the path of totality for #SolarEclipse2024 in Mesquite, Texas. Now the #eclipse will come to me. Already some fun as I was interviewed by Marcia Dunn, Aerospace writer at AP. #astronomy
@AstroHawk I agree the whole thing is amazing and daring, paves the way for more exploration, inspires people, and that the astronauts have to have the right stuff to go on a mission like this.