'We will always choose Earth': Artemis II astronauts complete flyby around far side of the Moon

LAST UPDATE | 6 hrs ago

NASA MISSION CONTROL in Houston regained communications with Artemis astronauts travelling around the Moon after an expected blackout that lasted some 40 minutes.

The crew performed a more than six-hour lunar observation period, documenting features of the Moon’s surface that were previously mostly known via photographs taken by robots.

“We will always choose Earth, we will always choose each other,” said astronaut Christina Koch, in initial comments following the signal cut that happened as their spacecraft passed behind the Moon.

US President Donald Trump called and congratulated the Artemis astronauts circling the Moon for making “history,” telling them they’ve “made all America really proud, incredibly proud.”

“You really are modern-day pioneers – all of you,” Trump said, before launching into a friendly interview of sorts with the three Americans and one Canadian who are on a historic 10-day mission around Earth’s natural satellite.

“You’ve got a lot of courage doing what you’re doing,” Trump said, lavishing praise on NASA’s first lunar flyby in more than 50 years.

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“America will be second to none in space and everything we’re doing, and we will continue to lead the whole thing into the stars, this incredible journey into the stars,” Trump said, crediting himself with choosing to save the space program.

Trump then conducted a brief question-and-answer session, asking what the dark side of the moon was like and how it felt to go incommunicado with Earth during that part of the space flight.

“I said a little prayer, but then I had to keep rolling,” Artemis pilot Victor Glover responded. “I was actually recording scientific observations of the far side of the Moon.”

The 79-year-old Republican added that he’d spoken to Canada’s leader and hockey legend Wayne Gretzky about the “neighbour” country’s addition to the space mission.

Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen thanked Trump for American “space leadership” and called the effort a “mutually beneficial goal.”

“A nation that leads like (the US) and creates and sets big goals for humanity that brings other countries along with it, is truly incredible,” Hansen said, adding: “Canadians are so proud to be a part of this program.”

The astronauts wrapped up their lunar flyby and will continue their journey back to Earth today, bringing with them rich celestial observations including little-known lunar craters, a solar eclipse and meteor strikes that scientists hope will open doors.

Trump ended the call by inviting the astronauts to the White House.

“Congratulations to everybody. I’ll see you at the Oval Office,” he said.