Artemis II launch live updates: NASA reveals breathtaking photos from far side of the moon in historic first 

Ronny Reyes, David Propper, Ryan King, Caitlin McCormack and Victor Nava / NEW YORK POST

 

NASA’s Artemis II saw astronauts orbit the moon in a mission the likes of which have not been seen in more than 50 years.

On Monday, the four-person crew — Cmdr. Reid Wiseman, specialists Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen and pilot Victor Glover — had their historic flyby of the moon.

The mission’s showstopper event gave the astronauts the world’s first-ever glimpses of parts of the lunar dark side, which they described as being “impossibly rugged” and “alien” — and broke the historic record set more than 50 years ago by Apollo 13.

They later crowded around the windows — wearing protective glasses — to watch a solar eclipse. Unlike on Earth, where the celestial phenomenon lasts just a few minutes, the crew’s glimpse lasted for nearly an hour.

The crew then spoke with President Trump, who congratulated them on their historic feat and called them “modern-day pioneers.” 

“You’ve made history and made all America really proud, incredibly proud,” Trump told them, before peppering them with questions and inviting them to the White House once they’re back on Earth.  Read more, see photos and video here.

The first Artemis ll / NASA pic of 

the Moon’s dark side! 

Our voyage back into space has just begun...

to explore the unknown is indeed in mankind's DNA.

Diane Sori / The Patriot Factor 

 

Artemis II astronauts travel farther from Earth than any humans in history, breaking Apollo 13 record set more than 50 years ago

Alex Oliveira / NEW YORK POST  

Humanity on Monday traveled the farthest ever into space, breaking the record set more than 50 years ago by Apollo 13.

Artemis II’s four astronauts zoomed past Apollo 13’s 248,655-mile mark around 1:56 p.m. ET, reaching 248,656 miles as it hurtled past the moon at nearly 2,000 mph.

The extraordinary new record occurred nearly 56 years ago to the day that Apollo 13 set it on April 14, 1970, as the troubled spacecraft used the moon’s gravity to slingshot itself back to Earth without using any of its waning power after suffering an onboard explosion.

But Artemis II isn’t done yet.

The astronauts are flying farther than any humans in history moment by moment until about 7:07 p.m., when they are expected to begin their journey back to Earth.

Their new distance record is expected to end up at about 252,757 miles.

Artemis II’s Orion capsule will be making its way to Earth from there, returning home around 8 p.m. Friday. Read more, see photos, and diagrams here.

China could target US homeland if Iran conflict escalates, expert warns

Recent drone incursions over US military bases are raising new concerns about foreign threats as tensions with Iran 

Taylor Penley / FOXBusiness 

 

Unidentified, sophisticated drones flying over a handful of U.S. military bases could be a warning sign from China, Gordon Chang warned Monday, suggesting Beijing could target the American homeland if the U.S. becomes more involved in its conflict with Iran. 

"The important point here is that we have had, last month, over four of our important military bases, foreign drones. These drones were large, they were un-hackable, they obviously were not recreational, so some foreign power — probably China, maybe Russia — was operating drones over our critical air force bases," Chang said on "Mornings with Maria." 

"Really, right now, the United States needs to be able to defend its bases in the homeland because those drone flights were a warning to the United States of some sort," he continued.

Chang suggested the drone activity could be an attempt to send President Donald Trump the message that, if U.S. forces escalate in the region, China could respond by potentially targeting bases on American soil. Read more, and see videos here. 

RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS...LIVE! 

Today, Tuesday, April 7th from 7 to 8:30pm EST, RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS Craig Andresen and Diane Sori discuss the latest updates on Iran; the Artemis II mission; and John Fetterman's latest announcement. Tune in to RIGHT SIDE PATRIOTS on https://rspradio1.com Click 'LISTEN LIVE.'