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Lunar sprint: the first 24 hours for the Artemis-2 crew

Lunar sprint: the first 24 hours for the Artemis-2 crew

Kira Aronova Journalist

04 April 2026, 09:30

Lunar sprint: the first 24 hours for the Artemis-2 crew — The view that the crew of the Orion spacecraft has been enjoying over the last few hours. Source: BBC

The Artemis 2 mission has launched successfully, sending the Orion spacecraft with four astronauts into orbit. For NASA, this is not only a test of its reputation but also the start of a genuine return of humans to the Moon

The BBC reports on the first challenges in space and the crew commander’s special item

Test drive in zero gravity

The first 24 hours on board are devoted entirely to system checks. The crew is testing the life support systems of the Orion spacecraft, which is designed for deep space. As well as manoeuvres, the astronauts are dealing with everyday issues: from the functioning of the space toilet to a strict sleep schedule ahead of the flight around the Moon.

The mission is led by 50-year-old US Navy Captain Reid Wiseman. An experienced astronaut who spent six months on the ISS, he has brought a special item with him a small notebook. In it, Reid plans to record his thoughts and feelings during the flight, which will forever change the history of space exploration.

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Ani Lorak's concerts in Russia have been cancelled following accusations that she supports the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ani Lorak's concerts in Russia have been cancelled following accusations that she supports the Ukrainian Armed Forces

Ani Lorak’s concerts in cities across the Far East have been cancelled in Russia following accusations that she allegedly supports the Ukrainian military.

The 50+ mobilisation in June 2026: the home front or the front line

The 50+ mobilisation in June 2026: the home front or the front line

Men over the age of 50 who are liable for military service may be called up in Ukraine if they are fit for service and do not have a deferment or exemption.

Sweden wants to ban social media for children under the age of 15

Sweden wants to ban social media for children under the age of 15

Sweden may join the ranks of countries that restrict children’s access to social media. A government commission is proposing to introduce a minimum age of 15 for using social media, and the relevant legislation could come into force as early as 1 January 2028.

Epiphanius, Onuphrius or the Pope: which church leader do Ukrainians trust?

Epiphanius, Onuphrius or the Pope: which church leader do Ukrainians trust?

Most Ukrainians are not very familiar with the country’s religious leaders – but among those they do know, Metropolitan Epiphanius enjoys the highest level of trust. Kirill, Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church, has no trust at all in Ukraine.

The ECHR has banned the automatic detention of journalists during protests

The ECHR has banned the automatic detention of journalists during protests

The European Court of Human Rights has ruled that the authorities cannot automatically detain a journalist during a protest simply because they have refused to comply with a police order to leave the scene.

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A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones

A court has remanded two suspects in custody in connection with a case involving a multi-million-pound bribe for drones

The High Anti-Corruption Court has imposed preventive measures on an official of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the owner of a drone manufacturing company, who are suspected of demanding a bribe of $1 million during the procurement of drones for the State Border Guard Service

Zelenskyy has commented on the attack on the Nova Poshta terminal in Dnipro

Zelenskyy has commented on the attack on the Nova Poshta terminal in Dnipro

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has commented on the Russian attack on the "Nova Poshta" terminal in Dnipro, where a fire broke out following a drone strike. The Head of State emphasised the need to step up support for Ukraine’s air defence and to increase pressure on Russia

Mass riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory

Mass riots following Paris Saint-Germain's victory

Mass riots broke out in France following Paris Saint-Germain’s victory in the Champions League final. A total of 780 people were arrested in Paris and other cities across the country, and 57 police officers were injured during the clashes

Activists are calling for DTEK's operations in Pushcha-Vodytsia to be halted

Activists are calling for DTEK's operations in Pushcha-Vodytsia to be halted

The NGO "Kyivska Pushcha" has announced that DTEK Kyiv Power Grids may begin work in the Pushcha-Vodytsia recreational area by 10 June. Activists fear interference with the forest and are urging residents to document any potential violations

Pashinyan maintains a comfortable lead ahead of the Armenian elections

Pashinyan maintains a comfortable lead ahead of the Armenian elections

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s party, “Civic Contract”, is set to win the parliamentary elections on 7 June. According to a poll, the Prime Minister’s party is polling at almost 65% of the vote

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In Japan, rare crested ibises, which had become extinct in the country several decades ago, have been reintroduced into the wild

In Japan, rare crested ibises, which had become extinct in the country several decades ago, have been reintroduced into the wild

For the first time in several decades, eight crested ibises – a species that became extinct in Japan in the last century – have been released into the wild.

A nature reserve is to be established near the Ukrainian Antarctic research station 'Akademik Vernadsky'

A nature reserve is to be established near the Ukrainian Antarctic research station 'Akademik Vernadsky'

Ukraine has secured the establishment of a new specially protected area in Collins Bay, located near the Akademik Vernadsky station in Antarctica. The initiative was approved following three years of intensive international negotiations.

The State Special Communications Service is calling for increased funding for Ukrainian crypto technologies

The State Special Communications Service is calling for increased funding for Ukrainian crypto technologies

The State Service for Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine plans to develop a domestic industrial base for cryptographic solutions and to support research institutions.

Artificial intelligence will be able to create its own next generations by the end of 2028

Artificial intelligence will be able to create its own next generations by the end of 2028

Over the next 12 months, artificial intelligence, working in collaboration with humans, could make a scientific discovery that wins a Nobel Prize.

A laboratory has opened in Japan where medical experiments are carried out by robots

A laboratory has opened in Japan where medical experiments are carried out by robots

Tokyo University of Science in Japan has opened a laboratory where medical experiments are carried out by robots without human involvement.