After more than 50 years, mankind finally returned to the moon on Monday as the Orion II space shuttle successfully completed its lunar flyby – and is now heading back to Earth. Despite the staggering $4.1 billion cost of the Artemis II mission, it has not been without its hiccups, technical difficulties and faults.
Some conspiracy theorists have even claimed the record-breaking space flight is ‘fake’. From toilet malfunctions to ‘out of this world’ product placement, here are seven bombshells about the mission as the four astronauts return home.
Conspiracy theories
Some online skeptics have dubbed the Artemis II mission a “hoax” believing it to be part of a larger conspiracy to mislead the American public.
During a CNN live interview with the crew, unusual visual distortions with fragmented white text flicked on the screen showing partial letters such as “TAN” and “OW.” One commenter on social media remarked: “It’s fake. NASA has been misleading the American public since the ’60s. Fake Apollo moon landing. Fake Artemis 2.”
Its believed the viral clip was not digitally altered but simply recorded from a television display with chromakey overlay. A chromakey – also known as a blue or green screen – is used by broadcasters to insert name banners, logos and captions, which are digitally placed on top of live footage in real time.
These strange letters likely came from on-screen graphics which the network implemented.
Diapers in space
The toilet on board the Orion capsule has reportedly broken down more than once – and left the crew with no working bathroom for their return to Earth.
It means astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen have to switch to a diaper-like alternative for the remainder of the trip.
The device – called a Collapsible Contingency Urinal (CCU) – is a plastic bag with special inner surfaces that soak up urine.
Video call with the President
While flying through space, the crew were greeted with a live video call from Donald Trump. During the live broadcast the US president told the astronauts: “You have made history and made all America incredibly proud. Your mission paves the way for America’s return to the lunar surface very soon.”
Noting how the spacecraft wasn’t actually going to land on the moon but fly around the space rock, Trump said: “We’ll plant our flag once again, and this time we won’t just leave footprints.”
40 minute blackout
One of the most terrifying details of the Artemis II mission was the 40 minute window during which the spacecraft lost all contact with Earth as it flew behind the moon.
This blackout occurred as the lunar surface blocked radio signals needed for the Deep Space Network to connect with the spacecraft. Artemis pilot Victor Glover previously spoke to the BBC and said: “When we’re behind the moon, out of contact with everybody, let’s take that as an opportunity.
“Let’s pray, hope, send your good thoughts and feelings that we get back in contact with the crew.”
The furthest people away from Planet Earth
On Monday at around 6:56pm UK time, the Artemis II crew surpassed the record previously set by the Apollo 13 mission in 1970 for the farthest humans have ever travelled from Earth. While the Apollo crew travelled 248,655 miles (400,171km) away, Artemis II reached a distance of 252,757 miles (406,772km).
On breaking the Apollo 13 record, the crew said: “We surpass the furthest distance humans have ever travelled from planet earth. We do so in honouring the extraordinary efforts and feats of our predecessors in human space exploration.
“We will continue our journey even further into space before Mother Earth succeeds in pulling us back to everything we hold dear.”
Out of this world product placement
In a bizarre twist a jar of Nutella has become a viral sensation after it was captured perfectly floating through the spacecraft’s kitchen with its label facing forwards.
The clip caught the attention of Nutella’s marketing team as the brand shared a clip of the delicious advertising accident. The team wrote: “Honored to have traveled further than any spread in history. Taking spreading smiles to new heights.”
One social media user called the clip: “The greatest free advert in history,” and added, “Nutella may have just got the greatest ad… ALL FOR FREE!” Another said: “Nutella just got the most b*****free ad in maybe human history.”
No jet engine fuel on their way back
Despite the Artemis II mission burning a staggering amount of fuel to escape the Earth’s gravity and journey to the moon, the space shuttle won’t actually burn any fuel on its return journey to Earth.
Boffins explained the spacecraft will use the moon’s gravity as a slingshot to hurl the capsule back home. Judd Frieling, ascent flight director of the mission, said there will be no “loss of control”.
He added: “We absolutely know physics is going to take them back to us. We’ll take a break, a breather and we’ll meet them on the other side.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletters