AkaSci 🛰️23h ago

Can't find any info on the status of the TACHELES 6U CubeSat from Germany, deployed by Artemis II. Except that it is in a 156.4 x 70,254.4 km elliptical inclined orbit.

The satellite is designed to test the effect of radiation on electronics for lunar rovers being built by the German company NEUROSPACE.

The name comes from the German Tacheles, "straight talk," which is itself derived from Yiddish תּכלית (takhles, 'purpose, result').

@markmccaughrean @cosmos4u
https://www.neuro-space.de/portfolio-collections/missions/project-title-5
60/n

Show threadAkaSci 🛰️22h ago

Earth-set and Earth-rise over the Moon as observed by Artemis II astronauts last night.

This is a simple composite of two images taken about 45 minutes apart by the GoPro camera located on one of the the solar arrays. Earth-set is on the right, Earth-rise 45 minutes later is on the left.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
61/n

Show threadAkaSci 🛰️22h ago

Sunset and Sunrise across the Moon as observed by Artemis II astronauts last night.

This is a simple composite of two images taken about 54 minutes apart by the GoPro camera located on one of the the solar arrays. Sunset is on the right, Sunrise ~54 minutes later is on the left.

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RwfNBtepa4
62/n

Show threadAkaSci 🛰️19h ago

Hi-res Earth-set images captured using the Nikon D5 camera by astronauts aboard the Artemis II Orion spacecraft last night around 22:41 UTC.

EXIF data at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193180468/ and https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193178333/
More images at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/with/55193462360
63/n

Show threadAkaSci 🛰️19h ago

A fascinating image of the Moon's far side during the total solar eclipse, as seen last night by Artemis II astronauts around 01:06:19 UTC.

The glowing halo around the dark lunar disk is due to the zodiacal light, i.e, Sunlight reflected off space dust.

The left side of the moon is dimly lit up by Earth-shine, light reflected off Earth, located off the frame in the distance on the left.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/55193054741/
More at https://www.flickr.com/photos/nasa2explore/
64/n

Show threadDr. Eric J. Fielding, PhD
@AkaSci What three planets are visible to the lower right of the Moon?
Apr 7 at 3:20pmWeb
Show threadAkaSci 🛰️18h ago

@EricFielding
Saturn, Mars and Mercury as seen in this simulated view at 01:06:19 UTC April 7.

Neptune, located between Saturn and Mars, is too faint to see.

https://eyes.nasa.gov/apps/solar-system/#/sc_artemis_2?time=2026-04-07T01:06:19.000+00:00&rate=0

Show threadDr. Eric J. Fielding, PhD8h ago
@AkaSci Thanks, I knew one was Mars because one of the astronauts was talking during the eclipse and said one of the bright planets seemed to be orange or red. The Houston ground folks said "that is Mars, our future destination". I don't think the astronaut's comment was scripted but the ground "capcom" had that line ready.